Match Preview: Stars v Mystics
TEAM NEWS:
SKYCITY Mystics captain Maria Tutaia admits the first up clash between Netball’s newest rivals will come with a few nerves.
“It’ll be a bit weird because a lot of us have played with those girls for quite a long time, but this is what the ANZ Premiership is all about and we’re relishing it,” she said.
The Mystics will be smarting after pushing the Steel for much of their match and will be keen to carry their form and new game plan into this game.
“Jenny-May and Helene have done a great job trying to teach us a different style of Netball that none of us have ever played,” Tutaia said, “so it’s just about keeping on training as much as we can and implementing that in our game.”
The coaches have had an influence on young midcourter Elisapeta Toeava who continues to shine for the Mystics with some outstanding play in the second round.The wing attack was unafraid to put in the long ball to her shooters, took her share of ball from the centre pass and picked up valuable possession on defence.
WHO TO WATCH:
Courtney Tairi (Stars) – the midcourter stood out in their first victory with a heavy workload through the middle – leading the way with both centre pass receives and feeds into the shooting circle.A key figure in a new-look forward line.
Maria Tutaia (Mystics) versus Kayla Cullen (Stars) – these former team-mates are likely to square off in this match and with both known for never taking a step back, are expected to entertain.Cullen however is one of the most penalised players in the league and will not want to give Tutaia an easy shot at goal.
Bailey Mes (Mystics) – the new Mystics shooter proved both accurate and aerial in Round 2 pulling in some amazing ball along the baseline.An impressive vertical jump is matched by her agility and both combine to make Mes a tough shooter to shut down.
HOW TO WATCH
Wednesday Night Netball is back with NZ-based fans able to tune into SKY Sport 1 and FanPass 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.