2026 ANZ Premiership – Round 8 Previews
Round 8 of the 2026 ANZ Premiership sees the race for finals positions intensify, with just three rounds remaining in the regular season.
The VIP Frames & Trusses Tactix remain top of the ladder after another win in Round 7, while the Ascot Park Hotel Steel continue their impressive form on a six-match winning streak.
Last weekend also produced the competition’s 12th ANZ Premiership extra time match, with the Steel edging the Avis Magic 56-53 in Dunedin.
Magic v Stars
Saturday 30 May, 4pm at Claudelands Arena, Hamilton
The Avis Magic return home to Hamilton looking to build on an improved performance against the Steel.
The Stars hold a slight edge in the rivalry with 14 wins to the Magic’s 12, although many meetings between the sides have been tightly contested.
The Stars claimed a convincing 56-39 win when the teams met earlier this season in Auckland.
Key points:
- The Magic claimed their first competition point of the season in Round 7
- The Stars remain unbeaten in opening quarters this season
- Eleven meetings between the teams have been decided by five goals or fewer, or ended in a draw
- Teuila Sotutu made her ANZ Premiership debut for the Stars in Round 7
Pulse v Tactix
Saturday 30 May, 7pm at Fly Palmy Arena, Palmerston North
The Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse host the ladder-leading VIP Frames & Trusses Tactix in Palmerston North.
The Pulse hold the overall advantage in the rivalry, winning 18 of 29 ANZ Premiership meetings, but the Tactix claimed a 53-48 win when the teams met earlier this season.
The Tactix arrive in strong form after six wins from seven matches, while the Pulse are searching to break a difficult losing streak.
Key points:
- The Tactix sit top of the ANZ Premiership ladder after Round 7
- The teams have met on two previous occasions in Palmerston North in 2019 & 2024 and the Pulse won both matches
- The Tactix have won all seven second quarters this season
- The Pulse will be looking to snap their losing streak against one of the competition’s form teams
Steel v Mystics
Sunday 31 May, 4pm at ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill
Round 8 concludes with a clash between the second placed Ascot Park Hotel Steel and third placed GoSweetSpot Mystics in Invercargill.
The Steel lead the ANZ Premiership head-to-head record 15-12 and defeated the Mystics 57-46 earlier this season in Auckland.
Both teams head into the weekend in strong form, with the Mystics winning five of their past seven matches and the Steel riding a six-match winning streak.
Key points:
- The Steel are on their longest winning streak since 2019
- The Mystics have held third place on the ladder for the past three rounds
- The Mystics recorded the highest score and biggest winning margin during last weeks match
Round 8 at a glance
- Saturday: Avis Magic v Stars (Hamilton)
- Saturday: Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse v VIP Frames & Trusses Tactix (Palmerston North)
- Sunday: Ascot Park Hotel Steel v GoSweetSpot Mystics (Invercargill)
All matches live and free on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+.