KEY POINTS:
Tasman Trophy coach Yvonne Willering would have been pleased to have arrived in Palmerston North yesterday and seen that Auckland Waitakere and North remain unbeaten in the national championships.
As coach of the greater Auckland side for next year's Tasman Trophy, North and Auckland Waitakere make up a
significant part of Willering's catchment area.
With franchises beginning to organise their lineups for the new competition which starts in April, the nationals are a great opportunity for those hoping to secure spots.
In yesterday's double header round, Auckland Waitakere knocked over Waikato 49-40 and Otago 57-45 while North beat Western 58-43 and Southland 55-54.
The two sides will square off tonight to decide the top side going into tomorrow's semifinals where one plays four and two plays three. The winners will advance to Saturday's final.
Auckland Waitakere, North and Otago have already secured semifinals spots. The other spot will go to the winner of the Waikato and Southland match.
As for who is going to emerge victorious in the battle of the bridge, it is difficult to say. Auckland Waitakere look the stronger of the two sides.
They have a capable shooting combination in Susan Tagicakibau and Grace Rassmussen, experience in the midcourt with Rawinia Everitt and Jenny-May Coffin and then there is Anna Scarlett on defence.
North's strengths lie on attack with Catherine Latu, Megan Dehn and Angelina Yates. However their young defensive quartet of Areta Thatcher, Finau Pulu, Charlene Halapua and Amy Harte have performed solidly so far.
North coach Melissa Walker will be emphasising the need for a better start after a sluggish first quarter against Southland, a trend which has become familiar with the North side.
While she is struggling to understand why her team are failing to fire in the early stages of matches, Walker was a little more forgiving yesterday given her team had played two games.
She said her side face a formidable opponent in Auckland Waitakere today but she has great confidence in her players.
"They have got a lot of franchise players in there but it is just who on the day is more determined to go out there and do it."
Auckland Waitakere had an easier run against Waikato and Otago yesterday and remain competition favourites.
Auckland Waitakere coach Paula Bailey said her team are just putting together the "complete game" which they have been building towards.
"I think Otago offered us a good build-up into the North game because they are a complete team as well and are very athletic. I guess it is a change of game up against North who are strong in their attack end and have brain power down that end and youth down the other. We'll be focusing on what we have been doing well to date and adding more than they put out there."