KEY POINTS:
There are no prizes for guessing who will attract the most attention during the seventh round of the transtasman netball league this weekend.
England international Rachel Dunn is set to debut for Canterbury Tactix against Central Pulse in Palmerston North on Saturday, after a week in which her
selection has been the topic of hot debate.
Netball New Zealand has defended its decision to amend the competition rules midway through the season and grant the Tactix a special dispensation to employ a second overseas import.
Goal shoot Dunn is being introduced to replace former Silver Fern Jodi Brown, who is pregnant, even though the Tactix already have one overseas player on their books in Australian defender Demelza Fellowes.
This has upset other franchises, which questioned NNZ's decision after the Tactix argued there were no local shooters of sufficient standard available to replace Brown.
The import rules for New Zealand teams allow franchises to sign up to two players ineligible to play for New Zealand - but one must be a New Zealand resident or citizen.
The clause was included with the likes of the Central Pulse's Frances Solia and Northern Mystics' shooter Catherine Latu in mind.
They are ineligible to play for the Silver Ferns after playing for Samoa at the last world championship but have grown up and played all their netball in New Zealand.
Tactix coach Helen Mahon-Stroud is playing her cards close to her chest regarding Dunn, saying no decision will be made about her playing prospects until match day.
She has other shooting options in Anna Thompson, Hayley Stockman and Ellen Halpenny but it would be a major surprise if Mahon-Stroud delayed Dunn's introduction to the semi-professional league.
The last-placed Pulse, who have yet to record a win, should know what to expect from Dunn because she is well known to fellow-England representative and Pulse defender Sonia Mkoloma.
Mahon-Stroud said Dunn, 25, who arrived last week, would have had eight training sessions with her new teammates by Saturday.
Dunn watched from the sideline when the Tactix recorded their third win with a 51-48 result over Southern Steel in Invercargill last weekend.
Mahon-Stroud has been impressed with what she has seen so far from the 1.87m Dunn, who returned to the court a month ago after knee surgery sidelined her for 7-1/2 months.
"She's settled in really well. She's got height and has a variety of skills," Mahon-Stroud said.
"She can play a holding game but she's also a very mobile shooter.
"We've got great speed through the midcourt and she will fit in very well with our team's style."
She said the departure of Brown and the introduction of Dunn had been more of a transition for her team to adjust to than a disruption.
"The theme for the week has been one of adjusting, to new combinations and to styles of play."
The Tactix were buoyed by their success in Invercargill but are wary of taking the Pulse for granted.
"They are a team of grit and determination and there is no room for any sort of complacency in this competition," she said.
The other match featuring New Zealand teams in the seventh round is in Hamilton on Monday when co-leaders Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic host the struggling Southern Steel.
Just two wins from six outings, and two defeats in as many weeks at home in Invercargill, mean the Steel are desperate for success.
But it is difficult to see them breaking down the Magic's vaunted front court of Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia, who have carried their side atop the standings alongside the Queensland Firebirds.
The Magic remain the only New Zealand team in the top half of the points standings, and Steel coach Robyn Broughton readily acknowledged the Australian franchises had showed their superiority thus far.
"I do think the Australians have got the beat on us - they are faster, stronger and have more depth.
"Coming off the bench their players are just as good as those they are replacing."
Other games feature the Adelaide Thunderbirds at home to the Melbourne Vixens on Sunday, while the New South Wales Swifts meet West Coast Fever in Sydney on Monday.
- NZPA
