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RNZ News
11 hours ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Netball: How the Mystics undid the Pulse
The Mystics celebrate. Photo: Marty Melville / Photosport The Pulse were on a roll and the Mystics were missing two key personnel, but in stepped an apprentice training partner and a solid game plan. The Mystics brought speed and composure to dominate the Pulse for a 64-51 win in Wellington on Sunday. It pushed the defending champions up to second spot on the ANZ Premiership ladder at the halfway point of the regular season, ahead of the Pulse, and just behind the Tactix. Mystics assistant coach Rob Wright said they knew that footing it with the vastly experienced Pulse midcourt would be key. "We knew coming here that the midcourt was probably our only really experienced area so if they held up we thought 'it gives ourselves a little bit of a shot' and I thought they did a terrific job. So did the ends but I thought that the midcourt really did a great job," Wright said. Peta Toeava, Tayla Earle, and Katie Te Ao were able to negate Pulse midcourters Whitney Souness, Maddy Gordon, and Fa'amu Ioane. Wright said Souness and Gordon in particular form the Pulse engine room and slowing them down would in turn make life difficult for their shooters. "They're pretty scary because they just keep going and they can just keep reworking it and they've got speed to burn so it's about trying to slow them down and then try and build some pressure and I thought we did that pretty well." The Mystics experienced their first loss of the season when they were beaten by 11 goals to the Tactix in the previous round and Wright said there was a lot of determination to bounce back from that. "The Tactix did a terrific job last week but I thought we let ourselves down and I thought we probably learnt a lot from last week and put it into this week." Mystics Peta Toeava (L) with Pulse's Fa'amu Ioane. Photo: Marty Melville / Photosport The Mystics were without import shooter Donnell Wallam for the game against the Tactix, with the Australian Diamond injuring her wrist near the end of their round three game. There were doubts about how the Mystics would fair without their strike shooter again. They were also without defender Holly Rae on Sunday, due to illness. "Sometimes you've got nothing to lose right, I'm not sure if people would have expected us to even win this game so sometimes you play with a bit more freedom." The Mystics led 15-11 after the first quarter and were able to block out the noise generated by the Pulse home crowd. Wright said the Pulse have done a lot of damage to teams in the first quarter and they wanted to make sure that didn't happen. "They've ripped people apart early and we knew that if we could hang with them you at least give yourself a shot and I thought we did a nice job in the first quarter." After getting 17 minutes against the Tactix in her first ANZ Premiership game, rookie Sophia Lafaiali'i started the game against the Pulse and put up an incredible 45 shots at 98 percent accuracy. Lafaiali'i is one of the Mystics apprentice training partners, who generally come to training once a week. "It's just straight out amazing isn't it, she did a great job and sometimes I think you've got no fear, you come out and you just play ... because we weren't sure how it was going to go and she did a terrific job and hence why we left her out there," Wright said. At over 6 foot, Lafaiali'i was a great target and never wavered from her holding game, despite coming up against Silver Ferns goal keep Kelly Jackson. Donnell Wallam Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Mystics Goal keep Catherine Hall put plenty of pressure on Amelia Walmsley, who shot 38 goals at 100 percent. The Mystics were so solid across the entire court that no substitutions were made at all, which is quite a rare thing now. The Mystics won the second quarter by a whopping 21-13, thanks in part to Filda Vui nailing three super shots. The experienced goal attack proved a handful for the Pulse and has fast become one of the most dangerous two-point shooters in the competition. Lafaiali'i then put the icing on the cake with a Super Shot on the buzzer and the Mystics led 36-24 at half-time. The Pulse would chip back a few goals in the second half but the Mystics always responded with a run of their own. The Mystics now have a four-game winning streak over the Pulse, including of course last year's grand final when they pipped them by one goal. Wright said Wallam was likely to be a couple of weeks off a return. "She's back doing some modified training so probably at least another couple of weeks I would suggest." The Mystics are hoping Rae will be back next week. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Mystics Pip Steel To Stay On Top
The Northern Mystics kept their unbeaten record intact after snatching a dramatic last-gasp 55-54 win over Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel to close out Round 3 in Dunedin on Monday. Losing their key shooting weapon Donnell Wallam just ahead of the three-quarter break to injury, the Mystics produced a masterstroke when shifting dynamic midcourt pivot Peta Toeava into the goal attack role for the last nine minutes. It turned out to be a pulsating nine minutes, Toeava proving she's a magician in most positions on the court as the teams turned on a thirilling contest. Down by five at the last break, intercepts to defender Carys Stythe and Kimiora Poi set the Steel up for a spirited comeback. Mystics shooter Filda Vui negated the Steel's two-point lead to level the scores with a super shot with under two minutes to play. One last Holly Rae turnover gave the Mystics the sniff they needed to clinch a hard-fought win against an impressive Steel challenge. The result helped the visitors retain the Georgina Salter Memorial Trophy in a match which also celebrated umpire Kristie Simpson, who was officiating in her 150th national league match. Still missing midcourter Kate Heffernan through injury, the Steel retained their winning starting seven from the previous week. For the visitors, goal attack Hannah Glen got her first start of the season in an otherwise predictable line-up. The connection between clever feeder Peta Toeava and her tall shooting target Wallam was evident from the first whistle as the Mystics quickly sprung into action with their quick through-court transition. The Steel needed to show more patience threading the ball through in the face of strong defence but showing traits of old, the southerners ball retention was a feature. The visitors held the slimmest of early leads where Wallam and her opposite Aliyah Dunn showed perfect positioning and great accuracy under the hoop. With everything very even on the statistics sheet, a steady, calm and patient Steel forged their way into the lead, Georgia Heffernan nailing the first and only super shot of the quarter to take the momentum and a 17-13 lead into the first break. Both shooters remained in dominant form on the resumption where a goal-for-goal stand-off was the order of play for the opening exchanges. Both teams spun the ball through court seamlessly with Steel centre Poi in the thick of all the action. A lift in the Mystics intensity helped the visitors eventually gain the slightest of edges through the second spell. The injection of super shot specialist Vui at goal attack for the last five minutes paid off handsomely in changing momentum the Mystics' way.. With unassuming ease, Vui drilled three super shots to Heffernan's one as the Mystics hit the front when taking a tenuous 31-30 lead at the main break. The Mystics opened the third quarter with serious intent, tightening the screws and disrupting the Steel's attacking flow. Captain Micahela Sokolich-Beatson was a telling presence from wing defence, upsetting the Steel's feeds into the circle while getting her hands on a succession of turnover ball. It resulted in errors from the Steel, who at the other end of the court couldn't harness the growing dominance of pin-point feeds from Toeava and Vui into the safe hands of Wallam. With the Mystics lead stretching out to six, Dunn showed she could shoot from anywhere when slotting a super shot to keep the Steel well in the race. Disaster struck on the brink of three-quarter time when Wallam fell heavily while trying to retrieve a rebound, sustaining a wrist injury in the process and forcing her off the court. Vui went back to goal shoot with Glen returning to goal attack as the Mystics headed into the last break with a 47-42 lead.
NZ Herald
09-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
ANZ Premiership 2025: New coaches and changes shake up netball season
Steel fans may also have a second team to root for, with two more Southerners heading north to the Tactix. Donna Wilkins (head coach) and Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit will lead the team in red and black, having both worked for Tactix last season. And Temepara Bailey returns home from coaching in Australia to take charge of the Stars, with Silver Ferns veteran Leana de Bruin as her assistant. There are many changes to the competition itself this year, with the introduction of the two-point shot being the biggest. Teams will have the last five minutes of every quarter to score long-range goals for two points. So, look for quick substitutions and new tactics as the minutes wind down. The competition is also much shorter this year, with each team facing each other only twice (rather than three times). No team can afford to have a slow start, with every game now counting more than ever. Northern Mystics 2024 finish: 1st 2025 team: Donnell Wallam, Filda Vui, Hannah Glen, Peta Toeava, Katie Te Ao, Tayla Earle, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, Catherine Hall, Holly Rae (née Fowler), Charlotte Manley In: Wallam (Australia), Rae (Stars), Manley Discover more Out: Grace Nweke (NSW Swifts), Phoenix Karaka (maternity), Carys Stythe (Steel) Coach: Tia Winikerei It was the biggest off-season news – Grace Nweke departing the Northern Mystics after six seasons to compete in the Australian domestic league. Searching for an ANZ Premiership three-peat, the Mystics may be without their star shooter, but have found themselves with a transtasman swap. Standing at the same height as Nweke, Donnell Wallam moves over from the Queensland Firebirds, a strong goal shoot option. Keep an eye out for Peta Toeava moving into goal attack during the two-point period, for her dead-eye long shot. Michaela Sokolich-Beatson will lead the defensive end, with Phoenix Karaka welcoming her second child in April, and Carys Stythe departing to the Steel. Once the strong midcourt trio of Toeava, Te Ao and Earle learn to feed Wallam, coach Tia Winikerei will be confident in her systems to get the reigning champions firing again. Central Pulse 2024 finish: 2nd 2025 team: Amelia Walmsley, Tiana Metuarau, Khiarna Williams, Whitney Souness, Maddy Gordon, Fa'amu Ioane, Ainsleyana Puleiata, Laura Balmer, Parris Mason, Kelly Jackson In: Puleiata, Balmer Out: Kelea Iongi, Parris Petera (Tactix) Coach: Anna Andrews-Tasola Advertisement Advertise with NZME. Plagued by injuries last season, the Pulse still managed to finish top of the table, with their adaptability coming into play as players rotated. Coach Anna Andrews-Tasola will be bringing confidence into her second season with the side, who were just one goal short of winning the title last year. Walmsley and Metuarau have a solid combination in the circle and will be bolstered by the addition of Amorangi Malesala for the beginning of the season. The former Stars shooter will temporarily fill in for Khiarna Williams, as she recovers from a shoulder injury sustained in pre-season. Defender Kelly Jackson continues to show her form, being honoured with the Dame Lois Muir Supreme Award last year – her third consecutive time being awarded the trophy for the top Kiwi netballer across domestic and international games. She'll team up with new Silver Fern Parris Mason. Mainland Tactix 2024 finish: 3rd 2025 team: Ellie Bird, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Martina Salmon, Holly Mather, Erikana Pedersen, Paris Lokotui, Parris Petera, Karin Burger, Jane Watson, Charli Fidler In: Salmon (Pulse/Steel), Mather, Petera (Pulse), Fidler (Australia) Out: Aliyah Dunn (Steel), Jess Allan, Kimiora Poi (Steel), Greer Sinclair (Stars), Kate Lloyd Coach: Donna Wilkins When Aliyah Dunn was rehabbing a knee injury last season, Ellie Bird stepped out of netball retirement to fill in for the shooter. One year later, she's back in the Tactix side, having one of her best seasons last year. She'll be teaming up with rising star Martina Salmon, who played for both the Steel and Pulse as injury cover last year, and stalwart Te Paea Selby-Rickit. New coach Wilkins has been working with the Tactix side for years, so will be familiar with their systems, but will have a new midcourt to train, with a short season to find new combinations and connections. Australian Charli Fidler joins the always lethal combination of Burger and Watson in the defensive end. Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 2024 finish: 4th Advertisement Advertise with NZME. 2025 team: Saviour Tui, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Kate Taylor, Reeghan de Bono, Claire O'Brien, Ali Wilshier, Georgie Edgecombe, Oceane Maihi, Georgia Tong, Erena Mikaere In: Taylor Coach: Mary-Jane Araroa The Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic are the team with the fewest changes from last season. Coming very close to last year's elimination finals, they've only made one change, with training partner Kate Taylor being elevated to a full contract this year. Ameliaranne Ekenasio was named the 2024 ANZ Premiership Player of the Year, and will continue a promising partnership with Tui in the shooting circle. Fresh off making her Silver Ferns debut, Claire O'Brien will team up in the midcourt with Ali Wilshier – who returns from a knee injury. The Magic defensive end remains the same, with Mikaere signing for her sixth consecutive season with the side, after a return to the Ferns last year. Northern Stars 2024 finish: 5th 2025 team: Maia Wilson, Monica Falkner, Charlie Bell, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Samon Nathan, Lisa Mather, Greer Sinclair, Kate Burley, Lili Tokoduadua, Remi Kamo In: Bell (Australia), Nathan, Sinclair (Tactix), Kamo (Australia) Out: Amorangi Malesala, Rahni Samason, Emma Thompson, Holly Rae (Mystics), Khanye'-Lii Munro-Nonoa Coach: Temepara Bailey Advertisement Advertise with NZME. The Stars were unfortunately the queens of the bonus point last year, with a number of narrow losses leaving them near the bottom of the ladder. An ACL injury to midcourt star Mila Reuelu-Buchanan was tough for the Stars, so her return will be welcome. She teams up with Samon Nathan, back from having her first child, and Greer Sinclair, moving north from the Tactix. Monica Falkner was used as injury cover last year, but returns to a full contract this year, shooting alongside Maia Wilson and Australian Charlie Bell, who at 1.96m is the equal tallest player in the competition. Former head coach Kiri Wills has departed for the Queensland Firebirds this year, where defender Remi Kamo comes from, as Bailey returns home to coach the Stars. Southern Steel 2024 finish: 6th 2025 team: Aliyah Dunn, Georgia Heffernan, Summer Temu, Serina Daunakamakama, Kate Heffernan, Renee Savai'inaea, Kimiora Poi, Abby Lawson, Carys Stythe, Dakota Thomas In: Dunn (Tactix), Temu, Daunakamakama, Poi (Tactix), Stythe (Mystics), Thomas (Australia) Out: Grace Namana, Jen O'Connell, Shannon Saunders, Ivari Christie, Jeanté Strydom, Taneisha Fifita Coach: Wendy Frew The Southern Steel have a tough ask this season, with only four remaining players from the 10 who signed contracts at the beginning of last year. After a winless 2023, they managed two victories last year, but will be looking for a fresh start under new head coach Frew – a Steel stalwart. Aliyah Dunn returns to her southern roots, and teams up with Summer Temu, who made her premiership debut last year. The Heffernan twins provide much needed experience to the side. Midcourter Kimiora Poi makes the move south from the Tactix, and promising young defender Carys Stythe joins the team all the way from the Mystics. With a shorter season this year, the Steel will have to hit the ground running with all their new combinations.
Newsroom
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsroom
Stand by for netball's short, sharp ANZ Premiership shootout
Only three teams have managed to lift the ANZ Premiership trophy in its eight-year history, but there are many known winners on the sidelines this year. Between the Steel, Tactix and Stars, their coaching benches have over 1000 national league caps and almost 300 Silver Ferns tests. While last year's finalists the Mystics and the Pulse retain their head coaches, some big netball names have stepped up for some other franchises. A legend of Southland netball, Wendy Frew is coaching the Southern Steel, with Liana Leota returning from England to assist. Steel fans may also have a second team to root for, with two more Southerners heading north to the Tactix. Donna Wilkins (head coach) and Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit will lead the team in red and black, having both worked for Tactix last season. And Temepara Bailey returns home from coaching in Australia to take charge of the Stars, with Silver Ferns centurion Leana de Bruin as her assistant. There are many changes to the competition itself this year, with the introduction of the two-point shot being the biggest. Teams will have the last five minutes of every quarter to score long-range goals for two points. So, look for quick substitutions and new tactics as the minutes wind down. The competition is also much shorter this year, with each team facing each other only twice (rather than three times). No team can afford to have a slow start, with every game now counting more than ever. We've done our homework here at LockerRoom, and have all the details you need ahead of the ANZ Premiership season start next week. Northern Mystics 2024 finish: 1st 2025 team: Donnell Wallam, Filda Vui, Hannah Glen, Peta Toeava, Katie Te Ao, Tayla Earle, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, Catherine Hall, Holly Rae (née Fowler), Charlotte Manley In: Wallam (Australia), Rae (Stars), Manley Out: Grace Nweke (NSW Swifts), Phoenix Karaka (maternity), Carys Stythe (Steel) Coach: Tia Winikerei It was the biggest off-season news – Grace Nweke departing the Northern Mystics after six seasons to compete in the Australian domestic league. Searching for an ANZ Premiership three-peat, the Mystics may be without their star shooter, but have found themselves with a trans-Tasman swap. Standing at the same height as Nweke, Donnell Wallam moves over from the Queensland Firebirds, a strong goal shoot option. Keep an eye out for Peta Toeava moving into goal attack during the two-point period, for her dead-eye long shot. Michaela Sokolich-Beatson will lead the defensive end, with Phoenix Karaka welcoming her second child in April, and Carys Stythe departing to the Steel. Once the strong midcourt trio of Toeava, Te Ao and Earle learn to feed Wallam, coach Tia Winikerei will be confident in her systems to get the reigning champions firing again. Central Pulse 2024 finish: 2nd 2025 team: Amelia Walmsley, Tiana Metuarau, Khiarna Williams, Whitney Souness, Maddy Gordon, Fa'amu Ioane, Ainsleyana Puleiata, Laura Balmer, Parris Mason, Kelly Jackson In: Puleiata, Balmer Out: Kelea Iongi, Parris Petera (Tactix) Coach: Anna Andrews-Tasola Plagued by injuries last season, the Pulse still managed to finish top of the table, with their adaptability coming into play as players rotated. Coach Anna Andrews-Tasola will be bringing confidence into her second season with the side, who were just one goal short of winning the title last year. Walmsley and Metuarau have a solid combination in the circle and will be bolstered by the addition of Amorangi Malesala for the beginning of the season. The former Stars shooter will temporarily fill in for Khiarna Williams, as she recovers from a shoulder injury sustained in pre-season. Defender Kelly Jackson continues to show her form, being honoured with the Dame Lois Muir Supreme Award last year – her third consecutive time being awarded the trophy for the top Kiwi netballer across domestic and international games. She'll team up with new Silver Fern Parris Mason. Mainland Tactix 2024 finish: 3rd 2025 team: Ellie Bird, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Martina Salmon, Holly Mather, Erikana Pedersen, Paris Lokotui, Parris Petera, Karin Burger, Jane Watson, Charli Fidler In: Salmon (Pulse/Steel), Mather, Petera (Pulse), Fidler (Australia) Out: Aliyah Dunn (Steel), Jess Allan, Kimiora Poi (Steel), Greer Sinclair (Stars), Kate Lloyd Coach: Donna Wilkins When Aliyah Dunn was rehabbing a knee injury last season, Ellie Bird stepped out of netball retirement to fill in for the shooter. One year later, she's back in the Tactix side, having one of her best seasons last year. She'll be teaming up with rising star Martina Salmon, who played for both the Steel and Pulse as injury cover last year, and stalwart Te Paea Selby-Rickit. New coach Wilkins has been working with the Tactix side for years, so will be familiar with their systems, but will have a new midcourt to train, with a short season to find new combinations and connections. Australian Charli Fidler joins the always lethal combination of Burger and Watson in the defensive end. Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 2024 finish: 4th 2025 team: Saviour Tui, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Kate Taylor, Reeghan de Bono, Claire O'Brien, Ali Wilshier, Georgie Edgecombe, Oceane Maihi, Georgia Tong, Erena Mikaere In: Taylor Out: Ivana Rowland Coach: Mary-Jane Araroa The Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic are the team with the fewest changes from last season. Coming very close to last year's elimination finals, they've only made one change, with training partner Kate Taylor being elevated to a full contract this year. Ameliaranne Ekenasio was named the 2024 ANZ Premiership Player of the Year, and will continue a promising partnership with Tui in the shooting circle. Fresh off making her Silver Ferns debut, Claire O'Brien will team up in the midcourt with Ali Wilshier – who returns from a knee injury. The Magic defensive end remains the same, with Mikaere signing for her sixth consecutive season with the side, after a return to the Ferns last year. Northern Stars 2024 finish: 5th 2025 team: Maia Wilson, Monica Falkner, Charlie Bell, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Samon Nathan, Lisa Mather, Greer Sinclair, Kate Burley, Lili Tokoduadua, Remi Kamo In: Bell (Australia), Nathan, Sinclair (Tactix), Kamo (Australia) Out: Amorangi Malesala, Rahni Samason, Emma Thompson, Holly Rae (Mystics), Khanye'-Lii Munro-Nonoa Coach: Temepara Bailey The Stars were unfortunately the queens of the bonus point last year, with a number of narrow losses leaving them near the bottom of the ladder. An ACL injury to midcourt star Mila Reuelu-Buchanan was tough for the Stars, so her return will be welcome. She teams up with Samon Nathan, back from having her first child, and Greer Sinclair, moving north from the Tactix. Monica Falkner was used as injury cover last year, but returns to a full contract this year, shooting alongside Maia Wilson and Australian Charlie Bell, who at 1.96m is the equal tallest player in the competition. Former head coach Kiri Wills has departed for the Queensland Firebirds this year, where defender Remi Kamo comes from, as Bailey returns home to coach the Stars. Southern Steel 2024 finish: 6th 2025 team: Aliyah Dunn, Georgia Heffernan, Summer Temu, Serina Daunakamakama, Kate Heffernan, Renee Savai'inaea, Kimiora Poi, Abby Lawson, Carys Stythe, Dakota Thomas In: Dunn (Tactix), Temu, Daunakamakama, Poi (Tactix), Stythe (Mystics), Thomas (Australia) Out: Grace Namana, Jen O'Connell, Shannon Saunders, Ivari Christie, Jeanté Strydom, Taneisha Fifita Coach: Wendy Frew The Southern Steel have a tough ask this season, with only four remaining players from the 10 who signed contracts at the beginning of last year. After a winless 2023, they managed two victories last year, but will be looking for a fresh start under new head coach Frew – a Steel stalwart. Aliyah Dunn returns to her southern roots, and teams up with Summer Temu, who made her premiership debut last year. The Heffernan twins provide much needed experience to the side. Midcourter Kimiora Poi makes the move south from the Tactix, and promising young defender Carys Stythe joins the team all the way from the Mystics. With a shorter season this year, the Steel will have to hit the ground running with all their new combinations.
