Teams gather for popular pre-season tournament

A month out from the season-proper, teams have a prime opportunity to test the waters against their rivals while refining strategies for the introduction of rule innovations for 2025.

The most notable change will be the inclusion of the two-point shot, where the opportunity to score double points from distance will come into play for the last five minutes of each quarter, the tournament adding much valued game-time for players and coaches to prepare their strategies for this game-changing new dynamic.

For the ANZ Premiership, the New Zealand teams will operate the two-point shot slightly differently from Australia where it has been part of their super league for several years.

Under Australian rules, shooters need to be three metres away from the goalpost for shots to be doubled. In this year’s ANZ Premiership, shooters will have to be at least 3.5 metres away from the post for a shot to be worth two-points, the same as FAST5.

With shooters embracing the concept, it adds a new and exciting element for spectators while introducing different play-making strategies for players and coaches.

In a unique experience,  teams, including management, officials and umpires will be accommodated at the Te Wānanga o Raukawa campus in Ōtaki, north of Wellington, in the tournament’s eighth edition.

All matches will be played at the Māori Tertiary Education provider’s health and fitness facility, Ngā Purapura with time for all involved to embrace and enjoy the special significance of the cultural engagement which includes a pōwhiri for all teams and officials, cultural activities and living together on the marae.

In an historic first, men will also play a part in the tournament with the Pulse opening the tournament against the Pulse Men on Friday evening.