Shooter Ameliaranne Ekenasio enjoyed a winning start after re-joining the Pulse for the 2026 season. Photo: Andrew Turner (AT Photo)
The 10th season of the ANZ Premiership kicked off in style with Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse recording a commanding 53-45 win over the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic.
In front of a sold-out home crowd at TSB Arena in Wellington, a young, new-look Pulse side dominated from the first quarter, never taking their foot off the accelerator to start their 2026 season on a high.
The Central side utilised all 10 of their game-day squad members, testing various combinations in their winning effort. Despite only retaining three members of their 2025 squad, they looked smooth from the opening whistle, holding off a late surge from the Magic to win by eight goals and deny their opponents a bonus point.
``It’s really important that we acknowledge all our debutants today and especially Sky (Skylah Tainui-Takerei), our training partner who came in on the back of injury and going on to play a full 60 minutes,’’ Pulse coach Anna Andrews-Tasola said.
``It was great to get the win, not only for us, but also for our amazing community and all our supporters. It’s always to good to get that first one out of the way, and we’re really proud to have got the win and made a good start to the season, but there’s still lots to work on.‘’
The Magic put on the pressure in the final quarter, leading it 9-4 halfway through the stanza, but the Pulse didn’t let up, calmly responding and not panicking under the post.
South African import Ine-Marí Venter blended seamlessly into the Pulse side. The 192cm goal shoot played 50 minutes, attempting a high volume of 32 shots.
Another standout for the Pulse was debutant Holly Comyns. The youngest player in the competition at 20 years old, Comyns played 57 minutes at goal keep, finishing with four gains, two intercepts and four deflections.
The Pulse defence had to work hard to shut down the Summerset Super Shot, with Magic shooter Saviour Tui continuing her fine form from last season, converting two-pointers in the first quarter. They were able to limit the damage, with the Magic sinking just two more Super Shots in the final minutes.
With the Pulse flying out of the blocks, they forced Magic coach Mary-Jane Araroa to call a time-out less than six minutes into the game, when her side trailed 7-1.
The Magic struggled in their attacking third, with all 14 of their first-half turnovers coming from the midcourt and attack. However, a couple of Super Shots from Tui kept them in the contest, heading into the first break just four points down.
In the first half, the Pulse didn’t need to rely on the two-point shot, converting consistently from the one-point zone to hold a 28-19 lead at halftime. The team in yellow did not successfully score a Super Shot, instead backing their accuracy under the post.
Pulse co-captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio faced her former Magic teammates for the first time. Ekenasio shot at 100 percent in the one-point zone, finishing with 20 goals.
With Australian import Lili Gorman-Brown rested due to a calf strain, Pulse training partner Tainui-Takerei played the full match at wing attack, leading the feeds with 23.
The Pulse have now won 22 of their 26 matches against the Magic, continuing their dominant record against the Waikato Bay of Plenty side. The Magic remain the only team yet to reach an ANZ Premiership Grand Final, with a best finish of fourth.