Yvette McCausland-Durie (yellow) engages with secondary school players Makere Cunningham, Jahydee Moke and Josephine Lolohea during a clinic in Hastings. PHOTO/Duncan Brown
Yvette McCausland-Durie (yellow) engages with secondary school players Makere Cunningham, Jahydee Moke and Josephine Lolohea during a clinic in Hastings. PHOTO/Duncan Brown
When Cathrine Tuivaiti steps on to the netball court for her new franchise, the Pulse, from late next month she'll have fans making a double take.
That's because Tuivaiti (nee Latu) is undergoing a transformation that will see her mutate into a different species when the new ANZ Premiership Netballstarts.
The 30-year-old goal shoot finds Pulse coach Yvette McCausland-Durie "easy to work with" and her vision "very clear and precise".
"What she wants from me is bringing me out of my comfort zone so that's the exact reason why I'm here to try to do something different," says the former nine-season Northern Mystics player.
"I was used to playing with Maria Tutaia so it's no surprise because she can shoot a ball from anywhere so there's a little bit more work involved for me," she says after a partnership with the Silver Ferns sharpshooter and bosom pal for about five years.
The way Tuivaiti will approach challenges and the manner in which she assumed leadership roles with the Mystics also will change with the Pulse.
"That's because this isn't my territory. I'm walking into someone else's [territory] so that's why it's so different for me.
"On a personal note I'm very different. I try to make sure the way I play matches is the way I'm feeling and that's just the different type of Cathrine for 2017."
Tuivaiti has been forging a combination with "old head" Te Amo Amaru-Tibble although Tiana Metuarau, who only turned 16 this month, comes in at the other end of the spectrum to provide balance.
■ 2017 Pulse squad: Te Amo Amaru-Tibble, Sara Bayman, Sheridan Bignall, Karin Burger, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Katrina Grant, Phoenix Karaka, Claire Kersten, Whitney Souness, Cathrine Tuivaiti.
