Tuki is over being No2

Jess Tuki has tired of waiting for chances to fall into her lap in the competitive Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic netball franchise.

The three-time Silver Fern thought the pathway had been cleared for her to join Irene van Dyk in the shooting circle when Maria Tutaia shifted north to the Mystics, but another roadblock was dropped in front of Tuki when the experienced Jodi Brown was added to the squad.

"I've decided I need to make some changes to my game," Tuki said. The changes were more mental and now, instead of just being happy being in the mix, the self-doubt has gone and Brown needs to keep a close eye on Tuki – the player who replaced her when she was injured on the eve of the Commonwealth Games in 2006. There is still the option for Tuki, 22, to play at wing attack, although she's not quite as confident when that position comes up.

"This year I'm going to predominantly be a goal attack/goal shoot, but could still be used at wing attack."

When asked how big an advantage she thinks her 185cm are in the midcourt position, Tuki pokes fun at herself.

"I don't think my style is quite like any other, I'm way taller than them all."

And knowing how much her coach Noeline Taurua loves to tinker and try different things if the through-court movement isn't working with the shorter, faster, Frances Solia at wing attack, Tuki is likely to be used.

She's excited about the new season and said her side's plan to remain fresh by sneaking into the competition – the Magic haven't played in either pre-season tournament – had worked for them so far.

"It's exciting, we can't wait to get out there on Monday night," she said.

"We're fresh and no-one knows what to expect from us."

Tuki was careful not to offer too much information away about the side and just how well they had been training and performing in in-house games, but her excitement gave her away.

"I know we just want to get out there and show everyone how hard and how well we've been working."

The Magic management are talking of Monday's round-one clash with the defending champions, the Melbourne Vixens, as a good first test marker but Tuki, probably unintentionally, hinted at a bit of an ambush for the Vixens.

"Things have just gone really well for us during our build-up and things like our links and movement are good.

"We're really looking forward to it."

Regardless of what happens on Monday, Taurua's plan of staying behind closed doors will be shown to be a stroke of genius, or just another out-there tactic that didn't work.

- © Fairfax NZ News