Dave Goosselink
Newshub
ANZ Premiership champions the Southern Steel are preparing to take on Australia’s top netball club, in a clash of the trans-Tasman titans.
The Steel will play the Southern Coast Lightning – Australia’s Super League champions – in a two-game series in the south.
Sister Club Relationship
The teams struck up a “sister club” relationship last year, after the old trans-Tasman competition was replaced by domestic leagues in New Zealand and Australia.
“So, last year we went and played the Sunshine Coast Lightning over there. It was their first ever hit out in their new stadium, and now they’re reciprocating and coming to visit us this year,” Southern Steel coach Reinga Bloxham said.
Former Steel coach Noeline Taurua now heads up the Lightning.
She said that the switch to an eight-team domestic league has broadened Australia’s player base and has proven more popular with viewers.
Slower adjustment
Back here, Bloxham says it has been a slower adjustment for Kiwi teams.
“We are sort of trying to find our feet again and finding out how we play. But I think that the nice challenge for us is having to play these Aussie teams again. I think it is always really important that we are still being competitive and keeping up with play,” she said.
Teams previously had to deal with more travel, along with switching between the New Zealand and Australian styles of match play.
“The Lighting are a very physical side and do a lot of running, whereas we are quite spatial. So, in the last week, we have had to think about how these Aussies are going to come over and play, and how we’re going to adapt to that,” Bloxham said.
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Photo Caption:
Noeline Taurua’s Sunshine Coast Lightning won the inaugural Australian Super League. Credits: Image: Photosport (Still taken from Newshub Video)
