Netball: Battle looms over Manu'a

Kristiana Manu'a (right) has been impressive for the Magic. Photo / Alan Gibson

NZ-born defender will chase selection in Aussie under-21 side, but Ferns will keep eye out.

Magic defender Kristiana Manu'a may soon be at the centre of a tug-of-war between New Zealand and Australia.

But for now, the only battle the Wellington-born Australian is focused on is her side's sudden-death clash with the Southern Steel tomorrow - the beginning of what the Magic hope will be a long ANZ Championship netball finals campaign.

Manu'a will return to her hometown of Sydney at the end of the Magic's season, and will be chasing selection in the Australian under-21 side to play a series of warm-up games against visiting international sides in town for the World Cup in August. But the young defender's performances for the Magic will also have caught the attention of the Silver Ferns selectors as they look ahead to life after the World Cup, with several veterans expected to step down following the tournament.

Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu has been upfront about Netball New Zealand's strategy to chase Australian-based players with Kiwi links to help boost this country's player depth. The zones have been encouraged to keep an eye out for young Australian players who have Kiwi heritage and get them involved in the New Zealand system, where there is less competition for spots.

Three Australian-raised players - Larrissa Willcox, Courtney Tairi and Ameliaranne Wells - have played for the Ferns over the past few years, and young shooter Malia Paseka is seen as a top prospect for the future. It is expected Manu'a, who went to the same high school as Paseka in Sydney, may be the next target for the national selectors.

Manu'a said she was undecided on what path she may take.

"I'm not committed to either [New Zealand or Australia]. It was a big opportunity to come and play for the Magic so that's just what I'm focusing on now. If the opportunity comes up to play for the Ferns or Diamonds, then I'll look at that when it happens," she said.

Manu'a, one of a trio of 19-year-olds in the Magic's starting line-up this season, was this year tasked with one of the most unenviable roles in netball - trying to fill the void left by injured Silver Ferns captain Casey Kopua in the Magic's defensive circle.

Despite having limited time to form a defensive combination with Ferns veteran Leana de Bruin in the short build-up to this year's competition, Manu'a has done an impressive job in her debut season.

She features in the top 10 for both intercepts and deflections, and her strong lean and defence over the shot caused shooters problems all year. For a player who came to the Waikato-Bay of Plenty franchise with the hope of developing her game under Julie Fitzgerald, a coach she knew well from her time playing age-group netball in NSW, the opportunity to play week-in, week-out has come as a big surprise.

"It wasn't what I was expecting. I was just hoping to get experience in an ANZ Championship environment and hopefully push my case for some court time. So to have got the opportunities that I have has been amazing," said Manu'a.

While Kopua made her return to the court in the Magic's round 13 win over the Central Pulse, Manu'a is still set to play a key role for her side in the transtasman league playoffs as her senior teammate continues to find her timing and rhythm in the early stages of her comeback.

Kopua needs as much court time as possible if she is to return to top form before the World Cup in August, but the ANZ Championship playoffs is not an ideal time to ease Kopua back into her work.

The playoffs

Australian elimination final
NSW Swifts v West Coast Fever
Tonight, 9.18pm, Sydney

New Zealand elimination final
Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic v Southern Steel
Tomorrow, 3.10pm, Hamilton

Australian conference final
Queensland Firebirds v Swifts/Fever
Sunday, 2.18pm, Brisbane

New Zealand conference final
Northern Mystics v Magic/Steel
Monday, 7.40pm, Auckland