Defending champions Kaierau make it back-to-back premier netball finals

High fives all round as Kaierau wing defence Charlotte Hill and her team mates celebrate making yet another Whanganui Premier Netball final. Photo / Bevan Conley

Complacency remains the main foe for the only unbeaten side going into the Netball Whanganui Premier A1 final on Sunday.

Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau produced an epic semifinal performance on Monday night whipping Mere Te Aroha 71-37 to make the final yet again.

Kaiwhaiki dispatched Phillips Electrical Whanganui High School 56-49 in the other semifinal to make the 3pm Sunday finale a repeat of last season's championship battle.

Consistency had been Kaierau coach Walter Edmonds''s main enemy throughout the 2018 season, driven mainly by complacency creeping into the champion side's psyche.

However, Edmonds issued a warning after describing Monday night's effort as one his team's most consistent performances yet.

"Complacency is still shadowing us at times, but I thought Monday's game was probably our most consistent performance all season," Edmonds said.

"We had identified a few defensive issues and I was really pleased to see our game plan was executed beautifully - it was a very good team effort and a nice lead up to what will be a tough final against Kaiwhaiki on Sunday."

Kaierau only has three players left in the squad from last season's title winning match up when it beat Kaiwhaiki 70-37.

Despite the unbeaten run this year, Kaiwhaiki coach Te Rina Peina still believes Kaierau is beatable.

"We settled well in the first quarter of the game, with a good defensive effort throughout the court against WHS," Peina said.

"Javell Pereka and Airini Potaka had an outstanding defensive first quarter, linking well with Kahureremoa Aki and Waimanawa Potaka-Osborne-Whanarere to apply pressure to WHS midcourt and shooting circle.

"With the injection of Kahurangi Sturmey at the second quarter break the defensive pressure applied to WHS shooting circle was outstanding."

Peina said Te Rangimarie Maihi and Sharnarose Pehi worked the shooting circle well, splitting the defence and giving her attacking midcourt combination, Aki and Cara Blake safe options.

"The shooting combination has grown over the season and put out their best performance this season so far. Cara Blake put out an outstanding performance working extremely hard defensively and working herself onto the circle edge to feed her shooters.

"I am extremely proud with the teams win last night, it was always going to be a great battle against WHS who have played outstanding all season and the talent that is within such a young team is very exciting.

"We wish them all the best for their up and coming Lower North Island Secondary Schools tournament," Peina said.