KEY POINTS:
As the top four Australian teams battle it out for the three remaining semifinal spots, the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic have a comparatively straightforward run to the play-offs.
But could this lead to their downfall in the finals?
With their two remaining matches against the Southern Steel and Canterbury Tactix, who occupy sixth and seventh place on the ladder respectively, several observers have raised concerns that the Magic won't be properly hardened for what is expected to be a tough finals series.
By the time they reach the play-offs, they won't have played an Australian team for a month.
Many Kiwi fans, who are rallying behind the Magic as New Zealand's sole representative in the finals, are worried the star-studded side could be in for a wake-up call. But Magic coach Noeline Taurua believes her side's final regular season matches are likely to be just as intense as any match across the Tasman.
The Magic were pushed right to the final whistle against the bottom-placed Pulse last week and Taurua is expecting they will come under similar pressure in the remaining rounds.
She said the Steel and the Tactix will be eager to finish off their seasons strongly and build the foundations for next year.
"I reckon both teams will take us to the wire," the former Silver Fern said. "If we were in the same position we would want to finish off the competition well.
"Every team is looking to finish their season on a high and put together a strong consistent performance so I don't think it'll be an easy road for us at all."
Taurua admitted it would be nice to face an Australian team in the lead-up to the semis but the nature of the competition meant they had to adjust to the different style of play between the two countries.
"I think we'll be able to change our style and change our thinking accordingly. Throughout the season we've been able to get a lot of ball on defence, but it's what we do with that possession under pressure and that mindset shouldn't change, no matter what sort of defence we have on us."
Should the Magic secure the number one spot on the ladder it will ensure they have home advantage for the play-offs, likely to prove crucial, and have the luxury of an extra life.
