MATCH PREVIEW (R7): PULSE V MAGIC

TEAM NEWS:

It might not have been a haul of maximum points for Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse in their last outing, but captain Katrina Grant believes they will take plenty from their first defeat of the season. The Pulse’s stunning six-game run came to an end on Super Sunday when they lost to the SKYCITY Mystics by one goal. “It’s great for us to feel that now and adjust to what we have to do,” Grant said after the game. “It’s only going to make us better I think.” The goal defender said it was a timely “wake-up call” for her team at the mid-way mark of the Premiership and there were positives to take from their effort after being six goals adrift. “Having to come from behind and push through, I felt that we had fight and we were really wanting it.” They take on a Waikato-BOP unit which have now netted four wins on the trot and are a different side which suffered double-digit losses to the Pulse in Round 1 and 3. There is a feeling that the Magic have found their stride on attack and with Casey Kopua leading the charge on defence, are building nicely towards a top three spot.

WHO TO WATCH:

Tiana Metuarau (Pulse) – is a play-maker for the Pulse in and around the shooting circle but was kept relatively quiet in shooting volume in the one-goal loss to the Mystics. It gets no easier for the teenager who is likely to match up against Casey Kopua.

Claire Kersten (Pulse) versus Sam Sinclair (Magic) – another thrilling match-up between the respective generals for both teams. Sinclair brings plenty of drive through the court and both centres play a strong defensive game.

Lenize Potgieter (Magic) – the rise of the South African shooter mirrors the advances the Magic are making on the points ladder. Potgieter put up more than 50 attempts at goal against the Northern Stars with 90 per cent accuracy.