Magic meet Steel in opener

Last year's beaten finalists, Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic head into the 2011 ANZ Championship with a new-look team. Ingrid Tiriana talks to coach Noeline Taurua

There's a new attitude in the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic camp this season and they plan to bring a new game to the court.
The team is extra-fit, a new assistant coach is giving head coach Noeline Taurua more time to consider the big picture, new players have refreshed the line-up and a canoeing and camping trip down the Whanganui River has given Magic a good foundation to link back to as they work through the first phase of their 2011 campaign.
With all that in the build-up to this year's ANZ championship, it's easy to see why there might be a new spring in the Magic step and why their Rotorua-based coach is so excited about the prospect of the season ahead.
"I'd like to think we're bringing a new game but it's not until they take the court that we'll see how things are really looking - but I'm really excited," Taurua said. "We've been training differently, we're directing the players differently and I'm really keen to get things under way and see if it comes off."
The first test for Magic's new approach will be their season-opener against a visiting Southern Steel at Rotorua's Energy Events Centre tomorrow night.
With Silver Ferns Irene van Dyk, Laura Langman and Casey Williams, plus Australian import Peta Scholz, re-joining the squad just two weeks ago, Rotorua-based coach Noeline Taurua admits the team may be a little underdone.
Taurua has retained the heart of last year's team with van Dyk, Langman and Williams providing an even spread of strength through the court. Hardworking midcourter Frances Solia, under-rated defender Jodi Tod and the versatile Jess Tuki are also back, as is Australian Peta Scholz, who impressed at wing defence last year before a season-ending knee injury early last April.
New to Magic are promising young shooter Julianna Naoupu from Steel, Central Pulse allrounder Jamilah Gupwell and Northern Mystics' 18-year-old defender Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick.
Also new is assistant coach Marg Foster who Taurua says adds adds another dimension to the team. "She brings her own experience, her natural creativity and a lot of energy."
The coaches have been working on a new style of play for Magic with the emphasis on ball retention and building pressure.
Magic are renowned for their quick release style of play but that has sometimes backfired and Taurua is looking to her team to choose the time for that wisely, demanding more patience, control and discipline.
"There's still the flair because that's part of who we are but we've worked on having a plan when letting the ball go isn't on, executing with discipline and being able to re-set and go again," Taurua said.
"That's a real change in mindset for those who have been with Magic for a while."
While the team will always have an eye on the golden prize, the ANZ Championship title, Magic have broken the season into six-week blocks.
"It's that old cliche about taking it one game at a time but we really are doing that and looking to have more fun and being more present than in the past."
The recent river trip which formed part of Magic's build-up and took the players out of their comfort zones proved a valuable experience, setting the foundations for at least the first six-week block, Taurua said.
"Everyone was in their raw state, we saw the good and the bad and we've taken a lot from that experience ... now it's all about playing."
Due to the upcoming world netball championships, this year's transtasman league season has been shortened with teams facing double-headers some weeks. That will see greater use of the bench, which was factored in during Magic's recruitment for 2011. Taurua said the more intense season meant player rotation was a must.
She said Magic wanted to have a good showing tomorrow against Steel, who suffered a first round 17-goal loss to Northern Mystics.
Steel are renowned for doing the basics well and Taurua said Magic would not be taking them lightly, expecting the visitors to present their trademark determination and grit.
While Steel shooter Daneka Wipiiti is an unlikely starter and midcourter Natasha Chokljat is out with a calf tear, Steel should benefit from the experience of former Silver Ferns defender Sheryl Scanlan whose calf injury problems appear to be over.
In other round two games this weekend Central Pulse are up against Mystics today while defending champions Adelaide Thunderbirds play Melbourne Vixens.
On Monday Canterbury Tactix could push West Coast Fever and Queensland Firebirds host NSW Swifts, who defeated Thunderbirds 60-40 last week.