KEY POINTS:
The Canterbury Tactix have refused to let the controversy surrounding the mid-season signing of English import Rachel Dunn distract them in the lead-up to today's transtasman clash.
Dunn is likely to make her debut for the Canterbury side in today's ANZ Championship match-up against the Central Pulse after star shooter Jodi Brown announced she was taking immediate time out from the sport as she is pregnant with her first child.
The recruitment of the England international has been a hot topic during the week, with some Kiwi franchises angry the Tactix were granted special dispensation to sign Dunn as a second overseas import. The Canterbury side also have Australian defender Demelza Fellowes on their books.
But Tactix midcourter Maree Bowden said the team have paid little attention to the debate. "We haven't really heard much down our way so it hasn't really been a distraction at all. I think Canterbury put together a good proposal and we're just happy to have her," the Silver Fern said.
The Canterbury side are remaining tight-lipped over whether Dunn will take the court today, but while they won't want to throw the 1.87m shooter in the deep end, the match may be the perfect opportunity to introduce her. Given the Pulse are languishing at the bottom of the table and don't have the same firepower as most of the other sides in the League, it will allow Dunn to ease herself in to her work. But Bowden said they can't afford to take the win-less Pulse lightly.
"They're definitely wanting a win and they'll probably see us as one of the teams they can target."
Tomorrow's highly anticipated re-match between the Adelaide Thunderbirds and the Melbourne Vixens is shaping up to be the game of the round. The last time the two great foes met was in round three where the Thunderbirds took the match by one goal due to some final second heroics from 17-year-old wing defence, Georgia Beaton.
With a wealth of international talent on court, a torrid encounter is expected between the two sides - particularly in the Vixens' goal circle where Sharelle McMahon will likely go head-to-head with tenacious defender Mo'onia Gerrard.
The Southern Steel's battle doesn't get easier in round seven as they face their toughest challenge of the season on Monday against the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic. On Monday night, the NSW Swifts are looking to remain in touch with the leaders with a good win over the West Coast Fever. The struggling Mystics and high-flying Queensland Firebirds have a bye round.
* ROUND 7
Today: 2.30pm Central Pulse v Canterbury Tactix, Palmerston North.
Tomorrow: 3.30pm Adelaide Thunderbirds v Melbourne Vixens, Adelaide.
Monday: 7pm Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic v Southern Steel, Hamilton; 9pm NSW Swifts v West Coast Fever, Sydney.
Byes: Northern Mystics, Queensland Firebirds.
