Early rhythm the goal — Savai’inaea
STEEL wing defence Renee Savai’inaea has one wish for Monday’s game against the Pulse in Dunedin — not to leave it until the last quarter to start playing netball.
Actually, make that two wishes.
The team will also need some fit bodies.
Covid19 caught up with the camp late last month and the Steel had to postpone three consecutive games.
The southern side returned to court on Wednesday night for a game against the Tactix.
The lineup was stripped of its usual defensive trio, but the team showed a lot of heart during the 6352 loss in Invercargill.
Whoever had to keep track of the changes on court had a busy evening. The Steel made 27 changes in a bid to make sure noone overdid it upon a return from Covid.
Savai’inaea watched from the sideline with teammates Sarahpheinna Woulf and Kate Burley.
The trio were forced to miss the game while they made their way back to full fitness.
‘‘A lot of girls are still on limited loading at the moment,’’ she said.
The 21yearold midcourter is still building up her own workload, but is hopeful of starting against her old side.
She experienced mild Covid symptoms.
‘‘Depending on how I pull up during testing will determine whether I have my playing minutes managed or not. But at the moment I’m tracking well for the maximum load.’’
She was encouraged by the Steel’s showing against the Tactix despite the loss.
‘‘We were good in patches. I think the girls that came in did really well.’’
That said it will be good to be closer to full strength for the Pulse.
The last game between the two teams was a cracker. The Steel eventually won 6663 in extra time.
But after the opening three quarters, the visitors’ hopes looked buried. The Steel outscored the Pulse 198 in the final period to level the score and force extra time.
‘‘We’re hoping not to put ourselves in that position again. But it is definitely going to be a close game again I feel.
‘‘The Pulse are definitely tough competitors with their manonman defence.
‘‘Hopefully, we won’t be down in the last quarter and have to try and come back.’’
It is good to know the extra gear is available, but Savai’inaea would prefer the team found its rhythm a little earlier.
The game is also a social opportunity for Savai’inaea.
❛ Hopefully, we won’t be down in the last quarter and have to try and come back
She started out at the Pulse in 2017 before moving south the Steel last year.
‘‘I’m quite good friends with most of the girls in that team, so it is always a fun match against each other.’’
The Steel has four wins from seven games, while the Pulse has five win from nine games.
The teams look on track to meet in the preliminary final.