KEY POINTS:
The Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic are looking to break the Australian hold on the transtasman standings with a convincing win over theCentral Pulse in Hamilton today.
After four weeks of intensecompetition, the ANZ Championship will have a more familiar feel to it in round five with only domestic
clashes being held.
The Magic looked sharp against the West Coast Fever last weekend and they are keen to build on that form and power their way up the rankings.
Though on equal points with four other Australian teams, the Magic lie fifth in the standings on goal differential. With the competition so tight, Magic coach Noeline Taurua said goal differential could prove crucial when it came to deciding the make-up of the top four so her side were eager for a big win.
Defender Joline Henry believes the Magic still have plenty more to give after their convincing win over the Fever.
"Knowing that we have five or six players yet to hit their straps, and we can come away with a 14-point win, has got to be pretty exciting," the Silver Fern said.
"When we all hit our straps at the same time, I don't think we are just going to match other teams, we're going to blow them out of the water."
After two demoralising defeats across the Tasman, the Pulse are looking to rebuild their confidence with a strong performance against the talent-stacked Magic.
But the Wellington side arerealistic about their chances of causing an upset, and coaching adviser Jill McIntosh said that instead the team were just focusing on putting together a complete game.
"They're going in to try and play four consistent quarters of their best netball. That's been the plan all along but thus far we haven't seen it," the former Australian coach said.
"In the past they've had some great games against the Magic so let's hope this is another one."
Despite suffering heavy defeats to the Queensland Firebirds and NSW Swifts in the past two rounds, the Pulse are remaining upbeat. McIntosh said the young side would be much more comfortable now they were back at home and playing against a more familiar style.
"I think they're all lookingforward to this Magic game because a lot of the team have played them before and it's the New Zealand style so they know what to expect."
In today's other clash, the West Coast Fever meet the Queensland Firebirds for the second time this season after a narrow 48-46 loss in the opening round.
After leading for much of that match, the Fever were chased down by the Firebirds in the final five minutes and the Perth side will be eager not to let another close match slip away.
The under-fire Northern Mystics have a big point to prove against the Southern Steel on Monday night. After a winless start to the competition, the Mystics are desperate to work their way out of the mire, and they must start now.
But it will also be a crucial game for the Steel, who are looking to shake off the disappointment of last week's loss to the Adelaide Thunderbirds and remain in touch on the competition leaders.
Monday night's other game will be the glamour clash of the round, with the table-topping NSW Swifts set to take on the Melbourne Vixens, who are on equal points with the Sydney team.
With past and present internationals in both teams, it promises to be an epic battle between the two States.
The Canterbury Tactix and Adelaide Thunderbirds have byes this weekend.
ROUND FIVE
TODAY: 2.30pm Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic v Central Pulse, Hamilton; 4.30pm West Coast Fever v Queensland Firebirds, Perth.
MONDAY: 7pm Northern Mystics v Southern Steel, Invercargill; 9pm NSW Swifts v Melbourne Vixens, Newcastle.
Bye: Canterbury Tactix, Adelaide Thunderbirds.
