Magic ready to mix it

It's with excitement that Noeline Taurua speaks of tonight's trans-Tasman netball opener.

There's no fear, pressure, or expectation, according to the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic coach, and meeting the defending champion Melbourne Vixens on their home patch is "a good thing".

The change in attitude is as relieving as it is shocking from Taurua and it would be easy to think Taurua had been kidnapped and replaced when she then suggested all 10 players – she's leaving Eli Shadrock and Amy Christophers at home – would get a run tonight.

While she's happier and sounding more confident, that confidence is based more on a good season ahead for the Magic, not necessarily tonight against a slick Vixens outfit – a game Taurua knows is about as hard as it gets in the ANZ Championship.

She said the process is more important than the result for her side tonight, but she's excited about seeing where her team are at.

"We've been trying new strategies which include bringing a lot of new things into 2010," she said.

"I'm really happy, what we've been able to put out there has been really good."

"I don't think we'll know for a while how well our new plans and strategies have worked, but I'm confident about them.

"We've been written off because the Vixens are No1 and it's in Australia, but that releases the pressure and adds excitement for us."

The Magic have lost three key players from last season, but the starting seven still has a strong look to it and if the side can gel despite a limited pre-season campaign, they could push the Vixens.

Irene van Dyk and new shooter Jodi Brown will be in the shooting circle being fed by wing attack Frances Solia and centre, and captain, Laura Langman. Peta Scholz will play wing defence. If she can help the Magic defend more stoutly against the Australian style, it would be a string to their bow they well and truly needed and will give them more chance.

Behind Scholz will be the energetic Jodi Tod and Casey Williams.

Taurua said bench players Jess Tuki, Kahurangi Waititi and Tanya Lund should all expect court time, because the Vixens were such a strong team and it gave her a chance to test her players in the toughest environment.

"We need to get the players into the season early and use them so we don't end up in a position like we have in the past where they haven't had any court time. Then it's hard to call on them."

It appears lessons have been learnt.

Defensively, Taurua is expecting, nay, demanding her side are dominant.

Not just Williams, who she knows will be her usual tenacious self, but Taurua has delivered her side strict instructions to "really work" on defence.

"They all have to defend with purpose, I want them to be tenacious, to be dominant, to really work as individuals and as a team.

"I don't want them to rely on Casey, all the rest have to stand up too and that's what I've seen so far this season, it's been good."

A win tonight for the Magic – $3.25 outsiders at the TAB – would mean four wins by Kiwi teams in the opening round.

In other games at the weekend, the Southern Steel came from behind to beat the West Coast Fever 46-44 in Invercargill and the New South Wales Swifts beat the Queensland Firebirds 50-47 on the Gold Coast.

On Saturday, the much-improved Northern Mystics beat the Adelaide Thunderbirds 55-52 on the back of a 92 per cent shooting game by Catherine Latu.

The Canterbury Tactix host the Central Pulse at 7.20pm before the Magic-Vixens game at 9.05pm.

- © Fairfax NZ News