Coach Anna Andrews-Tasola is hoping the Pulse can finish with a flourish. Photo: Masanori Udagawa
Playing together as a group for the last time, Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse are desperate to sign off on a positive note when rounding out their ANZ Premiership netball season this weekend.
In the last round of the regular season, the Pulse will meet a similarly desperate Stars team in Auckland on Saturday afternoon, both out of Finals Series (top three) contention after disappointing campaigns, but keen to wind up with a win.
Both teams have been patchy with a lack of consistency being the major bugbear, the Pulse struggling to successfully find the right recipe in their diverse mix, while the highly-touted Stars have found themselves in a similar boat, red-hot one moment and out of sorts the next.
``I think just with all the change that we had, only one returning starting player, we were hopeful we’d be able to get everybody ticking away to what we knew our potential was but we just haven’t had enough time,’’ a reflective Pulse coach Anna Tasola-Andrews said.
``We definitely haven’t been able to achieve what we had set out to achieve, so it’s really important that we finish off strong for this last game. We’ve still got plenty to play for and we are ready to step up and have a good game.
``Everyone’s given it their all, mentally and physically, but we just haven’t been able to sustain the consistency we were looking for. But we’ve got an opportunity to do that on Saturday.’’
It has been a frustrating time for all involved but building blocks, growing leadership potential and the emergence of a new wave of rising young talent across the Pulse and sister team Manawa has left plenty of optimism for future success after failing to nail a spot in the Finals Series for just the second time in the 10 years of the league.
``It’s been really challenging but I’m extremely proud of the way that our leaders (Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Parris Mason) have continued to lead the group during this time,’’ Andrews-Tasola said. ``Everyone has been focussed on getting better each week and can say that they have continued to improve and that they’re a better player than when they arrived.
``As a coach there have been learnings and as an organisation as well. We’re really proud of the legacy we’ve had and the years we’ve had of being able to build a really great programme. Having to start all over again has been really tough but it’s been an awesome opportunity, as well, for the young ones coming through to be exposed at this level.
``There’s many that haven’t played at this level and for long periods, so being able to get that experience, it’s the only way you can get experience is by having the experience, so there is the positive and a silver lining from that. A strong foundation has been set.’’
With the loss of some of New Zealand’s frontline players to overseas leagues in the off-season, there was some doubt surrounding how this year’s competition would stack up, but Andrews-Tasola believes it was a worthy spectacle and the game is in strong shape.
``I thought because there were so many new players that it was actually super competitive and very challenging in regards to preparation,’’ she said. ``Previously we had all known each other for a very long time, but it’s been great to see lots of young ones being able to step up and get some experience whereas previously that pathway may have been blocked. That’s been a definite positive.
``Sold-out stadiums across New Zealand has been fantastic and just the step-up in performances from individuals as well, has been great to see. The game is growing and there was a lot of support in the community, so, looking ahead, that’s exciting.’’
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