Pulse perky, trouble for Tactix

The Central Pulse will look to continue their unbeaten start to the 2019 ANZ Premiership when they host the injuryhit Mainland Tactix tomorrow.

After that, there’s a showdown between the Southern Steel and the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic on Monday, and an Auckland derby between the Northern Mystics and the Northern Stars next Wednesday.

Tactix injury woes

Jess Maclennan. Zoe Walker. Temalisi Fakahokotau. Erikana Pedersen. The Mainland Tactix have had a horror run with injuries stretching back to last season, and after losing to the Southern Steel by 20 and the Northern Stars by 19, it’s looking like it’s going to be a long three months for Marianne DelaneyHoshek’s team. There will be no respite this week, as they face the Central Pulse, who finished round one as the only unbeaten team.

Steel shooters’ reunion

Stadium Southland in Invercargill is set to host the most intriguing clash of round three, when the Southern Steel face the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic on Monday night. The Steel sit at the top of the ladder, one point ahead of the Pulse, ❚

Points (games played): Steel 7 (3), Pulse 6 (2), Stars 6 (3), Magic 3 (3), Tactix 3 (3), Mystics 0 (2). who have played a game less, getting there on the back of thrashings of the Tactix and the Mystics, who have both looked out of sorts.

The Magic should be a tougher test, with the battle between the visitors’ Silver Ferns defenders, Casey Kopua and Kelly Jury, and their old team-mate, South African shooter Lenize Potgieter, one to watch.

Change of tide in Auckland

In the first two seasons of the ANZ Premiership, the Northern Mystics had the wood on the Northern Stars, winning two of their three meetings each year, but the early signs in 2019 are that this could be about to change. Last time the two teams met, the Mystics won by 18, but with the Stars winning two of their opening three matches and their crosstown rivals losing both of theirs, the opposite result looks more likely on Wednesday.