ANZ Premiership Preview – Super Sunday, Round 6

Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse v The Good Oil Tactix
Sunday, March 31 in Auckland

TEAM NEWS:
Unbeaten and seemingly unstoppable. Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse march on to the top of the ANZ Premiership table showing an ability to absorb the pressure and come from behind for victory. Captain Katrina Rore was most pleased to get a number of players on court in the win over the Ascot Park Hotel Steel and their ability to “step it up” when they needed to. They had it over The Good Oil Tactix when they met in Round 3 and it would be a major upset to see the result change. But the Tactix will have taken great confidence from their win last week, particularly the first three quarters when their attack, especially the finesse of delivery to sharp shooter Ellie Bird, impressed. But that all came undone in the fourth quarter, which almost cost them maximum points, and captain Jane Watson said they would need to address that before meeting the Pulse. “I think we got a little bit complacent,” she said. The goal keep felt her side stopped attacking ball and driving on attack. But she was pleased with the way the Tactix held onto the ball for long periods during the match which had been an area they had worked on.

WHO TO WATCH:
Sophia Fenwick (Tactix) – the former shooter is making the most of her opportunities since her recall to netball’s elite competition. She looks at home in the Tactix’ defensive circle and has shown a strong (and long) link with goal shooter Ellie Bird.

Kimiora Poi (Tactix) versus Claire Kersten (Pulse) – the Pulse centre marked 50 games at this level last week and looked to thrive on the tussle against the Steel. Poi played a big hand in the smooth running of the Tactix frontline in their last outing.

Ameliaranne Ekenasio (Pulse) – really is leading the Pulse frontline with her movement and accuracy in the circle. An exciting prospect for the Silver Ferns in a World Cup year.

Northern Mystics v Northern Stars
Sunday, March 31 in Auckland

TEAM NEWS:
The message is simple for the Northern Mystics – get the goals in. They have secured their first point of the season in a four-goal loss to The Good Oil Tactix but will be left scratching their heads over what could have been if they’d started as strongly as they finished. The shooting percentage proved the difference and while coach Helene Wilson is wanting to protect rising shooting star Grace Nweke, she must be tempted to give the schoolgirl – who netted 32/37 in two quarters – more minutes on court. Captain Phoenix Karaka was “excited” about their fight back but admitted their start was just ‘not ANZ netball’. “We need to be working harder to grind on that attack and just get the ball in the hoop.” Karaka wants to see her attackers get the ball to circle edge for an easier feed against the Stars. “We know what we need to work on; it’s just getting the mindset in the right place and the confidence in ourselves to follow the game plan.” Six goals separated the two teams when they met in the first of three Northern Challenge matches, in Round 3, with the Mystics showing what is becoming a familiar trait of a fast finish.

WHO TO WATCH:
Tayla Earle (Mystics) – the young Mystics midcourter has made the most of her first year in the ANZ Premiership and is showing an ability to set the pace of play up front. Could find herself up against one of the game’s greats in Temepara Bailey.

Elisapeta Toeava (Mystics) versus Kayla Cullen (Stars) – two of the most explosive players in New Zealand netball with their speed off the line, but both also have a tendency to drift in and out of games. A key match-up.

Kate Burley (Stars) – the defender proved a game-changer when she came on last week with seven gains for her side in 30 minutes of netball. Will coach Kiri Wills be tempted to give her more minutes on Super Sunday?

Splice Construction Magic v Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel
Sunday, March 31 in Auckland

TEAM NEWS:
Both teams head into Super Sunday on the back of losses but it is perhaps the Splice Construction Magic who has most on the line as they attempt to stay in touch with the top three ANZ Premiership sides. Twenty goals separated the two when they met back in Round 3 and the Magic will have to find something special to bounce back against the defending champions. They looked much more assured up front during the first half against the Northern Stars but a horror third quarter – when they netted just five goals – was their undoing. Captain Casey Kopua was left lamenting the inconsistency and urged her team-mates to “just go back to the basics of pass and catch. We say KISS which is Keep It Simple Stupid,” she said. “When we stick to the game plan it works.” Their links up front worked well over 30 minutes with Simmon Howe and Kelsey McPhee – who have history together in the Beko Netball League – a key to their early success. Maintaining that intensity over four quarters is now the ask while the Magic will also be aware of the high penalty and turnover count they collected the last time they played the Steel.

WHO TO WATCH:
Sam Sinclair (Magic) – has a big task in shutting down Gina Crampton who has been in top form for the southern side. Both players show plenty of speed and determination.

Ariana Cable-Dixon (Magic) versus Shannon Saunders (Steel) – the Steel pivot is doing her best to push her case for a World Cup berth and has played such a strong hand on both attack and defence. Cable-Dixon put in a strong first half earlier in the week but drifted out of the game.

Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit (Steel) – the Steel co-captain is leading the league in rebounds and stepping up in the senior role in the defensive end.