Netball: Sting happy to let Diamonds take the heat

Sting coach Robyn Broughton says she feels a little sorry for the Diamonds having so much expectation heaped on them ahead of this weekend's opening round of the National Bank Cup.

For the first time in recent years, the favourite tag appears to have moved away from Broughton's Invercargill-based side and is poised above the new-look Auckland Waitakere Diamonds side.

Broughton admits the Diamonds have been talked up, but in typical style, admits she couldn't give a hoot.

"They seem quite confident and that is good for the competition," she said. "It doesn't affect me much, I just get on with what we are doing. I feel very confident with the girls we have got and what we are doing and how we are doing it.

" I don't go in thinking we are going to win this. I am looking forward to it - it is another challenge."

The Diamond's increased expectation is because they have finally secured some decent shooters with the arrival of Jodi Te Huna, Carron Jerram, Jo Morrison and Maria Tutaia.

The Sting, who have won the competition the past six years in a row, have been hit by injury.

Lesley Rumball is returning to the game after a layoff with a hamstring strain, Tania Dalton is returning after knee surgery and Adine Wilson will miss at least the first four weeks also with a knee injury.

However, what could be perceived as a lucky break, the Sting's first three games in the competition - against the Flyers, Shakers and Rebels - aren't expected to pose them too many problems.

The Diamonds, however, have a slightly tougher opening encounter, meeting the Irene van Dyk-led Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in their opening match today in Tauranga.

The Diamonds lost to the Magic by eight in their first match last year which in the end was what stood between them and a top-four finish.

This year's match could go down to the wire, with both sides evenly sprinkled with Silver Ferns.

North Harbour's Force open their campaign against the Otago Rebels tomorrow in Dunedin and the Capital Shakers face the Canterbury Flames in Wellington.

The Rebels have showed they are capable of rattling the more formidable sides, something that Force coach Yvonne Willering is well aware of.