Taurua enjoying ‘intense’ Aussie comp
Former Southern Steel coach Noeline Taurua is enjoying the intensity of the new Australian netball competition.
The Sunshine Coast Lightning coach is noticing the even nature of the eight-team Suncorp Super Netball league.
The Lightning sit second equal on the ladder after six rounds, with four wins, a loss and a draw from their six games, with four of their matches being decided by six goals or less.
The first round of the Australian competition started in February with all four matches decided by five goals or less, in stark contrast to the early lopsided results from all but one match in the opening round of New Zealand’s ANZ Premiership.
‘‘We are full-on at the moment and it has been very intense, we have had games and it has only been in the dying seconds that we have either won or lost and it is very competitive from one week to the other,’’ she said.
‘‘The competitive nature of what the competition spits out week to week is amazing.
‘‘It is not clear who the top teams are going to be, anyone can win on a given day.’’
‘‘There are teams like the Vixens that have been able to pull off a big game against Collingwood, who have had a team of stars, so that is definitely one thing that I am experiencing at the moment.’’
According to Taurua, the standard of the league is high, making preparation for teams vital.
‘‘The intensity in this competition is tough and it is quite enjoyable because every week you have got to bring your A-game,’’ she said.
‘‘You are not relying on winning against somebody else, because that ain’t going to happen.
‘‘It’s exciting to be a part of but also making sure we prepare really well every week, so you can’t rest on any laurels or anything or be lazy going into a game because you will get done over here.’’