Milestone for a Woman of Steel

Few, if any, pundits predicted the Southern Steel would lead the way in the trans-Tasman netball league this year.

Yet here we are, 10 rounds into the season, and Noeline Taurua’s outfit are the only team left unbeaten, after the Queensland Firebirds suffered a shock loss – their first for 21 games – against Laura Langman’s NSW Swifts last week.

Today in Christchurch the Steel have added motivation to protect a six-match winning streak, with captain Wendy Frew set to notch her century milestone against the Canterbury Tactix. The 31-year-old midcourter will be the 23rd player and 10th Kiwi to reach 100 transTasman netball league games.

‘‘It is an amazing achievement I think for a person to have the 100th game for the same franchise,’’ Taurua said.

Frew’s leadership and consistency, qualities many tend to overlook, have impressed throughout her career.

She’s been a rock of the Steel from day one, riding an often turbulent journey to credibility.

‘‘I think with Wendy she is a great leader, but also she leads by example both on and off the court,’’ Taurua said.

Because Frew is a ‘‘true blue’’ local, bringing up the milestone means so much more, Taurua said.

‘‘In regards to sponsorship obligations she is always the first to arrive and last person to leave. She is very aware of her and the team’s responsibility to the community.’’

Frew’s milestone is not the only one for the visitors, with Steel goalkeep Jane Watson playing her 50th game, ironically against her former team.

The last time the two southern sides met they drew 58-58 in round two in Invercargill.

The Steel sit on 15 points from seven wins and a draw, while the Tactix sit a point further back with five points from two victories and a draw from eight matches.

The visitors enter the game on the back of a 66-60 victory over the Northern Mystics, while the Tactix are coming off the bye.