Match Preview (R9): Stars v Magic
TEAM NEWS:
Northern Stars captain Leana de Bruin couldn’t wipe the smile from her face after the final whistles against the SKYCITY Mystics – her side enjoying just their third win of the season and the biggest upset of the ANZ Premiership to date.
De Bruin put the victory down to a “belief” between her players and hoped their new found confidence would be carried on for the remaining rounds of the league.
“I’m just so proud of the girls,” she said.“We had our back against the wall and we really just played for each other and look what happens when you do.”
The Stars looked more settled on attack and were able to find young shooter Maia Wilson in the circle who was accurate with ball in hand.
Twenty goals separated the two teams when they last met but it is a different Stars unit which host the WBOP Magic in Manukau.
Keeping their composure in critical moments is an area Magic captain Casey Kopua wants to see her charges improve after taking a positive step forward against the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel.
They lost to the league leaders by just four goals gaining a valuable bonus point to sit in third spot on 13 points.
WHO TO WATCH:
Afa Rusivakula (Stars) – out of action for three weeks through injury, the Fijian international added a steadying influence in the shooting circle against the SKYCITY Mystics.Showed accuracy with ball in hand netting 12 from 13 attempts and a high workload with 14 centre pass receives in 30 minutes.
Maia Wilson (Stars) versus Kelly Jury (Magic) – Wilson has been the rock in an inexperienced Stars shooting circle with her strong hold and accuracy.Held her nerve against Silver Fern Anna Harrison last week but faces another set of long limbs in the form of Jury.
Lenize Potgieter (Magic) – the South African sits second on the ladder for number of goals this season, shooting at 92 per cent after eight rounds.She netted 50 goals last time she played the Stars and will be tough to shut down.
HOW TO WATCH:
NZ-based fans can tune into SKY Sport 1 and Radio Sport to catch all the action live from 7.30pm. International fans (outside NZ) can watch all the action live on the ANZ Premiership Facebook page.