KEY POINTS:
There were few surprises for Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic coach Noeline Taurua from last night's transtasman netball league minor semifinal in Adelaide.
The home team Thunderbirds overcame a shaky start to down the Melbourne Vixens 53-48, and will meet the Magic in Hamilton on Monday in the preliminary final.
The NSW Swifts, who pipped the Magic 57-56 in the major semifinal on Sunday, will play the Magic-Thunderbirds winner in the grand final on July 28.
With a six-day-old baby to keep her busy in between netball assignments, Taurua admitted today she hadn't been able to keep awake for last night's all-Australian clash.
She had reports that Australian defender Mo'onia Gerrard's shift to goal defence from the wing made a big difference, Taurua said.
The clash between Gerrard and the Magic's born-again goal attack Irene van Dyk - if both actually play in those positions - should be a huge feature of Monday's match.
Van Dyk, the Silver Ferns' long-serving, long-reaching goal shoot, has played her last two games at goal attack for the Magic, giving teammate Maria Tutaia more time to settle into her game at goal shoot.
After van Dyk struggled with her fitness towards the end of her first game at goal attack, she went from strength to strength against the Swifts - a reassuring sight from Taurua's perspective.
Van Dyk got through a power of court work, both on attack and defence, and still managed to shoot 100 per cent.
"When you look at it, 29 out of 29 is huge so I'm pretty happy. It's like a new lease of life for Irene - she's out there, getting those long legs running and she's enjoying her time," Taurua said.
With both teams facing their last chance to make the July 28 final in Sydney, Sunday's match would be to be a no-holds-barred affair.
"It's do or die, and you've got to be able to put your game out right from the start."
Taurua said both the Magic and the Thunderbirds had struggled over the 17-round league to put together four consistent quarters.
"I think that's something that has been bugging both teams. I know we've been consistent in being inconsistent."
She said her players well aware of what they needed to do, but struggled at times to put words into action.
"I do think we've shown glimpses of brilliance, but the team's been running hot and cold in certain spells, and that's something we can't afford now."
- NZPA
