It's not very often you put the second game of a team's season in to the `must-win' category.
But for the 2014 vintage of the Central Pulse, producing a victory against the Southern Steel at the TSB Bank Arena in Wellington tomorrow is a non-negotiable.
The Pulse choked last Mondayas they tossed away a potential first-up win over the defending champion Adelaide Thunderbirds as they went down 45-44 in the final seconds and they need to win this afternoon to make people believe the hype around them is justified.
Aside from 1.98m shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid, who was limited by an ongoing heart condition in their round one 60-44 loss to the Queensland Firebirds, the Steel are a fairly toothless lot and aren't in the Pulse's class.
If the Pulse want to make their maiden trip to the finals this season, and their playing roster believe it is in their grasp, then they can't afford any slip-ups against sides they `should' beat.
Giving games away has to become be a thing of the past for the Pulse given the experienced heads they have on their roster with Silver Ferns scattered through the court.
The Pulse can now call upon a revitalised Joline Henry, who looked dominant when bringing the ball through court from wing defence against the Thunderbirds.
The 31-year-old never got going last season as she tried to make her way back from giving birth but her attacking drive will be crucial for Robyn Broughton's side as the season wears on.
Pulse defender Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit, who also used to play for the Steel, said Henry was on her way back to top speed.
"Joline is a leader on court, and having her there means I don't really have to think when she's on court as I just go by instinct,'' Selby-Rickit said. ``She tells me what we're doing on the line and she gives me advice and encourages me.''
Pulse newcomer Elias Shadrock made her debut for the franchise in the loss to the Thunderbirds and provided a solid shift at centre.
One of her major responsibilities this season will be working on her ability to link with the Pulse's veteran shooting circle of the Irene van Dyk and Donna Wilkins.
There were some notable missteps on Monday but Shadrock said the side had worked hard in pre-season to adjust to the required style to meet the needs of van Dyk and Wilkins.
"I think it took us a while,'' Shadrock said. "Obviously you've got the Twin Towers in there so sometimes I thought our connections weren't there from the outside to the inside. But when they were there they were really effective. So I guess that will take time.''
The problem is though, the time is now; the season has started.
