Pulse wary of ‘annoying, smart’ Tactix
Following a welcome return to form, the Central Pulse are poised for a testing outing against a buoyant Mainland Tactix in Premiership netball action in Auckland tomorrow.
Both teams enter the final instalment of Super Sunday, where all six teams play at the same venue on the same day, with the same winning motive but where the outcome has a different bearing. The Pulse got themselves back in the playoff mix with an impressive win over Waikato-bay of Plenty Magic on Monday and will be looking to continue their push up the table.
On the other side, the luckless Tactix had first win of the campaign, over the Northern Stars, and will want to finish what’s left of the season with a bang.
Experienced Pulse vice-captain Cathrine Tuivaiti and veteran shooter said their two recent heavy losses ensured the Pulse are still humble and are not getting ahead of themselves.
‘‘They’re a pain in the butt,’’ Tuivaiti said of the Tactix. ‘‘With all due respect, they’re so annoying, so smart and I’ve always thought that they’re a very welloiled machine.
‘‘They’re real slick, real fit, real fast and we’ll need to be on our game. A team that has nothing to lose is a very dangerous team to play against.’’
At the front end of the court, Tuivaiti, 31, is the mother hen, the key figure in leading an exciting but young and inexperienced attack line.
Constantly talking, guiding and taking her young charges in hand, the quick-witted Tuivaiti feels the learning has gone both ways.
‘‘I don’t enjoy feeling like I’m 100 years old but it has been exciting. I don’t think these girls know how much they’ve changed me in the way that I play, in the way that I see the game and the things that I’ve always wanted to do playingwise and just haven’t had the opportunity.
‘‘I care about the development of the young ones in our team and I really go out of my way quite often and quite far to make sure my peers are all right and that we are playing the best netball and they’re playing the best netball that they can.’’
Tuivaiti was full of admiration for her teenage shooting partner Tiana Metuarau and 21-year-old wing attack, Whitney Souness, who are both in their first season at the elite level.
In regards to her own game, the former North Mystics and Silver Ferns shooter said she was playing a brand of netball she hadn’t been able to for a long time.
‘‘I’ve been let out of the circle. A lot of people are surprised that I do come out of the circle, that I can actually move and I don’t have to stand underneath (the hoop) and have a big fight, so it’s a little bit different for me but I’m loving it.
‘‘I’m loving that it’s so different and that’s the whole reason I moved down here, so that something could be different but it turns out everything’s a bit different so it’s just been amazing.
‘‘Every week produces some complete new challenge, whether it’s coming off the back of a flogging or coming off the back of an incredible win ... it’s been a journey but something that I’m really grateful for.’’