By JULIE ASH
All the smart money is on a successful Waikato defence in netball's national provincial championship, which starts on Monday in Palmerston North.
Waikato have clinched the title three times in the past five years and once again, on paper, are the team to beat.
But the week-long Smokefree tournament is a gruelling one. Teams are required to front up every day with their top lineup to keep themselves in the hunt for national provincial netball supremacy.
Netball North, a team which also boasts an impressive lineup full of current and former Silver Ferns, are expected to be Waikato's biggest threat.
Losing to Waikato by just six goals in last year's final, despite beating them in round-robin play, Netball North will be out to make amends and reclaim a trophy which has eluded them since 1997.
Auckland Waitakere were the surprise package of last year's competition and, although they will miss Silver Ferns captain Anna Rowberry, they have plenty of young talent which should see them challenge the likes of Waikato and North.
Canterbury, Otago and Wellington finished fourth, fifth and sixth last year respectively, but already Wellington have proved they could be the dark horse of the competition, losing to Waikato by just four goals in the preliminary round.
The question is whether they and the other five teams can step up and end Waikato's reign.
Netball: Waikato again the team to beat
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