Pulse determined to prove their worth in Mystics rematch   12 May 2016

Haier Pulse and Netball Central Zone

May 12, 2016

Pulse determined to prove their worth in Mystics rematch

Rebounding from pride-bruising previous round clashes is the challenge awaiting the Central Pulse and Northern Mystics in their ANZ Championship netball rematch in Auckland on Monday.

The first match-up between the pair four weeks ago ended in a 52-all stalemate and despite plenty of mostly gloomy action from both in the interim, the New Zealand Conference remains well and truly alive with a lot riding on this particular outcome.

Finding the mental freshness after both experienced big losses to Australian opponents last week could play a big role, with the Pulse determined to prove their worth.

``One really great thing about this team is that we don’t give up. We’re going to fight to the bitter death to make the Conference Finals,’’ staunch Pulse import Jacinta Messer said.

``It’s always hard to bounce back from a loss like we had against the Swifts but I’ve really been impressed with the girls this week….we’ve fronted up for training, had a few honesty sessions and now we just move forward, that’s all we can do.’’

The popular defender left her fiancé and career behind in Brisbane to have another crack in the trans-Tasman league after spending 2012-14 as a Queensland Firebird and not playing at all last year. She jumped at the chance to become the Pulse’s import player and while it has been a bumpy journey, there are no regrets.

``We’d be kidding ourselves if we thought this is where we would be six rounds in,’’ she said. ``It’s been a tough trot for us and we’re definitely looking to turn things around this weekend. Our performance has been largely underwhelming if we’re really honest and it’s up to us now to change that because we’re the only ones that can do it.

``I think it’s difficult to expect such a new group of girls and new management to come together and click straight away. So, of course there’s going to be hurdles, there’s going to be tough days but we’re looking to set something up here that’s quite special, like a good foundation for the future for this franchise.

``How a team meshes, gels and clicks together is so important and we’re not quite there yet. We’re close and we’re working so hard to try and turn it around and get to where we need to be.’’

Having played most of her career as an in-circle defender, Messer has enjoyed taking on the new role of wing defence. As well as learning the intricacies that come with the new job description and armed with a take no prisoner’s philosophy, she is still working on the process of space awareness that comes with the position and the New Zealand style.

``We have worked really hard in the pre-season, a lot of us have moved to Wellington and given up quite a bit to be here, so we absolutely want to do ourselves proud and we want to do the region proud,’’ she said.

``We definitely feel the pressure, we want to do well, not only for our supporters, but also ourselves.’’

``As soon as we get those connections and it just clicks, everything will fall into place and it will be a lot easier. Unfortunately, that’s just time that we need to make that happen but moving forward, if this team stays together, it could be quite a remarkable team.’’

Completing the simple tasks accurately and reducing the impact of the slick connection between Mystics shooters Maria Tuitaia and Cathrine Tuivaiti are key outcomes for the Pulse.

ENDS

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