Haier Pulse On The Rebound For Magic Test

Media Release
26 April 2013

Haier Pulse On The Rebound For Magic Test

The Haier Pulse will experience the ultimate test this Sunday, when the team faces the 2012 ANZ Championship winners, the Kia Magic, who currently sit in third spot on the table.

Following the desperately unlucky one-goal loss to the LG Mystics, the Haier Pulse will be determined to elevate their own position on the Championship ladder. The players are searching for their first-ever win against the current champions and will be focused on continuing their winning streak in front of a sold out crowd at the TSB Arena in Wellington, where the buoyant home supporters will play a crucial role in encouraging their team to come out on top.

Haier Pulse Head Coach Robyn Broughton never underestimates the power of a noisy, partisan crowd, but she will want to reduce the error rate this weekend and will once again be looking to strengthen her improving combinations.

The dependable duo of goal shoot Caitlin Thwaites and goal attack Donna Wilkins have so far generated overall shooting stats of 89% and 90.8% respectively, the most consistent of any shooting combo in the competition to date, and they certainly promise to keep the Magic defenders on their toes and looking for the rebound.

Talking of rebounds, Haier Pulse captain Katrina Grant, along with Te Huinga Reo Selby-Ricket, Caitlin Thwaites, Paula Griffin and Daya Wiffen, took part in a 15-minute game of AFL 9’s during yesterday’s half-time break in the clash between St Kilda Saints and the Sydney Swans at Westpac Stadium. Aussie Rules fan Thwaites believes that their crash AFL training session this week will certainly help with the girls’ rebound skills. “Going for a tap down is like going for a rebound in netball,” she said.

Coincidentally, following the Magic game in Wellington, the Haier Pulse will then travel to Melbourne, the home of AFL, to take on the Vixens on Sunday 5 May at Hisense Arena. Centre pass will be at 4.10pm (NZ time).

For now though, it is New Zealand’s form team, the Magic, who are looming on the horizon. With star shooter Irene van Dyk, dependable mid-courter Laura Langman and renowned defenders Casey Kopua and Leana de Bruin in their ranks, the Magic have strength all through the court. The Haier Pulse will have to be at their very best if they are finally to record a win against their northern neighbours.

This Sunday’s action at Wellington’s TSB Arena, begins at 7.20pm.

Keep up to date with all the latest news from the Haier Pulse by visiting www.pulse.org.nz, www.facebook.com/Haier.Pulse and twitter @HaierPulse.

Match reports and statistics are also available from www.anz-championship.com

ENDS

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