Netball: Defence key to Auckland's hopes

Maree Bowden. Photo / Martin Sykes

Auckland Waitakere will be looking to get their Lion Foundation title defence back on track this weekend when they take on fellow frontrunners Canterbury.

Today's game in Christchurch will be Auckland's last outing before next week's tournament at Waitakere's Trusts Stadium. The Aucklanders will play Otago in the final round on Thursday, with the playoffs getting under way on Friday.

While Auckland Waitakere are assured of a place in the semifinals regardless of the outcome of the next two rounds, they will be keen to make a strong statement after stuttering against newly promoted Wellington last weekend.

Auckland will need to put in a strong defensive performance with Canterbury boasting several seasoned Tactix performers in their attack line, including former Silver Fern Maree Bowden and highly rated young shooter Ellen Halpenny.

The unbeaten Canterbury side, who sit at the top of the table on equal points with Wellington, will also welcome back Anna Thompson after the Ferns shooter was ruled out of last week's 46-42 win over Southland with a knee injury.

A lot of pressure will fall on Auckland Waitakere captain Rachel Rasmussen to upset the flow of the Canterbury attack, with rookies Amy Harte and Lesley Simone struggling over the opening round.

Canterbury are strong in defence, with Tactix trio Charlotte Kight, Victoria Smith and Phillipa Finch having a strong understanding.

The visitors will need to show more precision with their feeding in to star shooter Cathrine Latu, who, while prolific against Wellington last weekend, could have been even more dominant had Auckland not wasted so much possession in their attacking third.

The weekend's other first-grade matches are derbies, with Southland taking on Otago in Gore and Wellington to meet Western in Porirua.