2026 ANZ Premiership – Round 6 Previews

Round 6 of the 2026 ANZ Premiership sees the competition begin to tighten, with important ladder positioning and key rivalries headlining another big weekend of action. 

The Ascot Park Hotel Steel sit top of the ladder on the back of a four-match winning streak, while the VIP Frames & Trusses Tactix remain unbeaten at home this season after extending their home winning run to nine matches last round.  

This weekend also features the latest instalment of the Northern Challenge, with the winner between the GoSweetSpot Mystics and Stars to claim the Barfoot & Thompson Northern Challenge trophy for 2026.  

Tactix v Magic 

Saturday 16 May, 4pm at Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre, Christchurch 

The VIP Frames & Trusses Tactix return home looking to continue their strong start to the season when they host the Avis Magic in Christchurch. 

The Tactix have won 14 of the past 16 meetings between the teams and claimed a 53-46 victory when the sides met earlier this season in Hamilton.  

Saturday’s match will also mark the first ANZ Premiership game played at the new Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre. 

Key points: 

• The Tactix extended their home winning streak to nine matches in Round 5  

• The Tactix have the best defensive record in the competition after five rounds  

• The Avis Magic remain winless after five rounds and are searching for their first victory of 2026  

Mystics v Stars 

Saturday 16 May, 7pm at The Trusts Arena, Auckland 

The Northern Challenge returns this weekend, with the GoSweetSpot Mystics hosting the Stars in Auckland. 

The Mystics hold the overall advantage in the rivalry, winning 19 of 28 ANZ Premiership meetings, although the Stars claimed a hard fought 63-59 victory when the teams met in Round 1 earlier this season.  

The winner of Saturday’s match will secure the Barfoot & Thompson Northern Challenge trophy for 2026. 

Key points: 

• The Mystics have won seven of the previous eight Northern Challenge series  

• Mystics head coach Tia Winikerei will coach her 50th match for the franchise  

• The Stars enter the round with the competition’s best attacking record, averaging 57.6 goals per game  

Pulse v Steel 

Sunday 17 May, 4pm at TSB Arena, Wellington 

The Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse host the ladder-leading Ascot Park Hotel Steel in Wellington to close out Round 6. 

The Steel arrive in strong form after four consecutive victories, including a 54-47 win over the Pulse earlier this season in Invercargill.  

The Pulse will be looking to halt a four-match losing streak, with every match they have played this season decided by single digits. 

Key points: 

• The Steel sit top of the ANZ Premiership ladder after five rounds  

• The Steel are on their longest winning streak since 2021  

• All five Pulse matches this season have been decided by eight goals or fewer  

• The Pulse are searching to avoid their longest losing streak since 2021  

Round 6 at a glance 

• Saturday: VIP Frames & Trusses Tactix v Avis Magic (Christchurch)  

• Saturday: GoSweetSpot Mystics v Stars (Auckland)  

• Sunday: Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse v Ascot Park Hotel Steel (Wellington)  

All matches live and free on TVNZ+