Challenging road trip for Kia Magic
Press Release April 3, 2012
Aware of the pitfalls, Kia Magic coach Noeline Taurua has set out to cover all bases in preparation for Sunday’s ANZ Championship netball showdown with West Coast Fever in Perth.
Many teams have fallen foul on the back of the long road trip to the competiton’s most isolated outpost, the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic mentor, however, upbeat about the unique set of challenges it presents.
``They are very hard (to play) on their home ground. Every time we’ve gone over there, we’ve gone toe-to-toe and only been able to pull ahead in the last 5-10 minutes,’’ she said.
Both teams impressed in their latest outings, Kia Magic making it two from two with a decisive 26-goal win over the NSW Swifts while Fever hit 80 in their 27-goal mauling of the Northern Mystics.
The change in time zones, the long flight, and Fever’s return to form have all conspired to keep Kia Magic grounded.
Despite being so far from home, there are some positives, the New Zealand teams enjoy a strong following in Perth from the large numbers of Kiwis who live there.
The different umpiring interpretations caused some consternation for the Swifts in New Zealand but Taurua is not expecting any similar concerns when Kia Magic line up alongside two Australian umpires for the first time this season.
``We’re very aware of what’s more than likely going to happen,’’ she said. ``We prepare to expect the unexpected and that’s what we have trained for, not just for this match, but every match.
``Sticking to process and maintaining standards are the key focus and to avoid getting caught up in anything peripheral.’’
Being able to run two different and equally competent attacking combinations, featuring Jess Waitapu (goal attack) and Jess Tuki (wing attack) and then swapping that duo with Ellen Halpenny and Khao Watts has given Kia Magic strong options, variety and healthy competition within the squad.
``It’s new ground for us,’’ Taurua said. ``At this stage it provides us with a bit of a difference and it does change the chemistry out on court which is a positive for us.
``At the moment it’s working and I’m just taking it week-by-week. Everybody is training really hard and putting their hands up. They’re presenting as wanting to be out there on court, so they deserve to get that opportunity. I will keep rolling with it until something changes.’’
While a lot went right for Kia Magic against Swifts, Taurua is still looking to lift the bar.
``The final execution at times could have been better,’’ she said. ``There were still a few things that I would call soft and just lacking a bit of awareness.
``Our base and structures are quite solid, it’s just the fine tuning and that will come as we go along.’’
The coach is not expecting the free-flowing spectacle of their previous two matches but a physical tight contest where they will need to be prepared to work hard throughout for any gains against a rejuvenated Fever.
Jane Hunt
Kia Magic media liaison
Ph: 021-107-0287
