Netball North should easily have the better of their opponents in the preliminary games but a question mark lies over whether they have the goods to take out the championship.
The North Shore-based side, who finished second to Waikato last year, very much resemble the Force National Bank Cup team, who
were bundled out of the semifinals in that competition.
Although Netball North will miss the experience of former Silver Fern defender Linda Vagana, who has retired, and Tania Dalton, who turned out for them last year, they are still relatively stable throughout the court.
Daneka Wipiiti and Teresa Tairi will once again handle the shooting responsibilities with Julie Kelman-Poto in reserve.
The effervescent Temepara Clark will lead the side from centre while her Silver Fern team-mate Sheryl Scanlan will be an integral member of the defence, alongside Kate Dowling and Fijian representative Matila Waqanidrola.
As well as Kelman-Poto, other newcomers to the side are Massey High School student Catherine Latu, North Harbour elite squad member Peti Ihaka and Force midcourt player Fleur Bell.
"We are going to try some different combinations, that is what it is all about," said Force coach Yvonne Willering.
"Obviously we have retained a number of players from the Force but having said that we are making some changes within the team so it is not that team over again."
Willering conceded her team were a little short on court time.
"We got the Silver Ferns late ... We weren't really a complete team until a couple of weeks ago."
Despite that, Netball North are expected to fly through their preliminary matches. The only team who should provide them with a decent workout are Otago.
"They are a known team to us so at least we know what to expect," Willering said.
Netball North: Daneka Wipiiti, Teresa Tairi, Julie Kelman-Poto, Catherine Latu, Angelina Yates, Fleur Bell, Temepara Clark, Kimberley Horton, Sheryl Scanlan, Peti Ihaka, Kate Dowling, Matila Waqanidrola.
