Match Preview: Steel v Pulse
TEAM NEWS:
Backing up after a torrid Super Sunday will be a major test for Te Wananga o Raukawa Pulse who face the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel for the first time.
Pulse captain Katrina Grant was a downcast figure after a one-goal defeat to the WBOP Magic and felt her side “stopped trusting each other” and attacking the ball on defence as they let their opponents back into the game.
“That one really hurts,” she said straight after the final whistles.“We’re gutted.”
But the quick turnaround means little time to dwell on the result as the giant form of the Steel looms.
“It’s a massive game against the Steel and we really want to take that one.”
A rare blip on the Steel performance sheet forced them into playing catch-up netball for the first time this season – but it was only momentarily.
Down by seven goals early in the first quarter against the SKYCITY Mystics they showed one of their main strengths is an ability to hold their composure.
“We showed a bit of heart and character to come back,” captain Wendy Frew said.
She said they would be out to tidy up some “basic errors” when they take on the Pulse.
WHO TO WATCH:
Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit (Steel) – the deceptive defender has the ability to come from seemingly no-where to grab intercepts.She picked up four in her latest outing along with six deflections and will be a tough opponent for Pulse youngster Tiana Metuarau.
Katrina Grant (Pulse) versus Jhaniele Fowler-Reid (Steel) – the Pulse captain is back to her best and in tandem with Phoenix Karaka is causing plenty of problems for the attackers in the league.It will however be Grant’s first look at Fowler-Reid and another step up for the defender.
Sara Bayman (Pulse) – the English international has found her groove in the Pulse midcourt and her defensive game is proving a key cog in an impressive unit led by captain Katrina Grant.Bayman is also a safe pair of hands on attack with just one turnover last week.
HOW TO WATCH:
NZ-based fans can tune into SKY Sport 1, FanPass 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.