Netball: Aucklanders' title defence begins with Otago

Sheryl Scanlan will lineup for Southland. Photo / Supplied

The pecking order for the finals of the Lion Foundation netball championships will be decided today as the tournament phase of the competition begins, with the 12 regions descending on Waitakere's Trusts Stadium for their final-round matches.

The teams will then be ranked for the finals, and for those that miss out, promotion-relegation matches beckon.

Many stars of the ANZ Championship not involved with the Silver Ferns Commonwealth Games campaign will compete, including Auckland Waitakere's Cathrine Latu, Canterbury's Maree Bowden and Southland's Sheryl Scanlan.

After the opening four rounds, Bowden's Canterbury side have emerged as title favourites, particularly after sweeping aside defending champions Auckland Waitakere 71-53 in Christchurch last weekend.

With nine of their 12 players boasting transtasman league experience, the red-and-blacks appear to have the strongest line-up on paper. A provincial title this weekend will certainly help compensate for a disappointing ANZ Championship season, in which the Tactix finished last.

Their closest rivals for the crown will be Wellington, who have been the surprise package of the competition after being promoted into the first division this year.

The two unbeaten sides will meet today in what could be a dress rehearsal for Saturday's title decider.

Tournament hosts Auckland Waitakere need to beat Otago tonight to secure their place in the semifinals.

With a powerful line-up including the likes of Latu, Rachel Rasmussen and Debbie White, most had expected the defending champions to saunter into the semis, but their form over the past fortnight has been shaky at best.

While Otago have just one win so far, the young energetic side have proved a handful for their opponents this season and will sniff an upset.

Southland will meet the winless Western side and should cement their place in the top four, but they appear off the pace of the top two teams.

Lion Foundation Netball title
First division final round games:

*3.45pm: Western v Southland.
*5.30pm: Canterbury v Wellington.
*7.15pm: Auckland Waitakere v Otago