Netball: Coach sure of magic touch

Magic coach Noeline Taurua believes her side are the only ones who can end the Sting's reign in the National Bank Cup.

The six-time defending champion Southern Sting side stormed into the final on Friday night edging out the Northern Force 47-44.

The Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic finished top of the table in the round robin competition but as they are unable to host the final, they will now head to Invercargill for the match on Friday night.

"Nothing scares us about the Sting," Taurua said. "I think where we are sitting we have got to be confident. I think if anything we are probably the only team that can take it.

"When everything is on there were times during the competition where we would blow our opponents out of the water within a two to three-minute period.

"We have a lot of firepower. We just have to make sure that we are mentally tough and that we can sustain it in all four quarters under immense pressure."

The Magic have strength throughout the court, but their major weapon is the unflappable Irene van Dyk. When they get the ball going through court it is very difficult to stem the flow to her.

The Sting's strength is their composure. When the pressure is on they remain calm, making very few errors.

The Sting are also a very physical side. Anna Galvan, Lesley Rumball and Wendy Telfer are known for not giving their opponents an inch. How the younger, less experienced Magic side contend with that will be a key feature in Friday night's match.

"We are preparing for that. Physically, I think we are the better team but I think mentally it is just being able to cope with that pressure and intensity that the Sting will put on us," says Taurua.

"At the end you have to, otherwise you are going to lose."

The Magic beat the Sting 56-42 in round five in Invercargill but Taurua said the return of Adine Wilson had made a world of difference to the southern side.

"Their timing is a lot better and they look quite confident at this stage.

"I think Friday's game was one of the best games I have seen [Sting shooter] Tania [Dalton] play."

Galvan, the Sting goal keep, also impressed against her considerably taller opponents Daneka Wipiiti and Catherine Latu. However, Taurua was quick to point out her side's release of the ball into their shooters was one of their strengths.

While a final in Invercargill is perhaps the worst scenario, Taurua isn't too worried.

"It is always a good atmosphere down there and we enjoy it ... They were good to us last time we were down there."

* Sting v Magic
Invercargill, 7.30pm Friday