Netball: Wilson providing the Sting

The outcome of today's elimination final in the National Bank Cup could hinge on the mid-court battle between the appointed and the disappointed.

The Southern Sting have made a last-ditch effort to retain their crown following a slow start to the season.

The driving force behind their revival has been the return from injury of Adine Wilson, this week appointed Silver Ferns captain to take on Australia.

Opposing her will be Silver Ferns world champion skipper Anna Rowberry, disappointed to miss the squad following knee surgery but determined to regain her place for October's return test.

The match, at Waitakere Stadium, is one Magic coach Noeline Taurua is looking forward to sitting back and enjoying, safe in the knowledge her team have already booked a spot in the final.

"There'll be a lot going on there," she said. "You've got someone like Vic Edward [Diamonds mid-courter] who didn't make the Ferns against some who did. Those things matter."

Taurua also said the old cliche of history counting for nothing didn't apply to the Sting, six-time winners of the competition.

"They look like they're coming right at the right time and for them, history does count."

On Friday night the Magic pulled a rabbit out of the hat in the third quarter to overturn a four-goal deficit and earn direct passage to the final in a fortnight.

They did so, as was expected, on the back of 50 from 52 shooting from Irene van Dyk.

Taurua knows they cannot afford to get off to a similar slow start in the final but believes their job might be a little more comfortable if they meet the Sting or Diamonds, neither of whom have the physical presence of the Force defence.

The other conundrum for the Magic coach is what exactly to do with the fortnight lay-off. She recited stats from a franchise meeting last year when Sting coach Robyn Broughton said that sides that came off a break invariably lost.

To this end Taurua has organised for the Magic to play a composite New Zealand A side in Te Awamutu on Saturday to ensure her team stays match sharp.

"We will win and lose this [final] depending on what we do or don't do during this period," she said.

The Force, who will meet the winner of today's clash in the preliminary final next week, managed to put up more shots but Daneka Wipiiti and Teresa Tairi were forced to take longer, lower percentage attempts in the 55-49 defeat.

It will be the Magic's first final.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY