The Steel is going to try both against the Magic in Hamilton tonight.
The Waikato-Bay of Plenty side has been the surprise package so far this season. Despite wholesale personnel changes, including the departures of Silver Ferns Laura Langman and Irene van Dyk, the Magic has a perfect record with two wins from two games.
The Steel has started its campaign with two losses. The franchise is desperate to register some competition points but Magic defenders Casey Kopua and Leana de Bruin loom as the biggest hurdle.
The pair form arguably the most potent defensive unit in the tournament and are fresh from an impressive display against the Mystics in Auckland last Monday, when they restricted the Debbie Fuller-coached side to a paltry 36 goals.
The Mystics' experienced shooting combination of Maria Tutaia and Cathrine Latu wilted under the pressure, as de Bruin and Kopua combined to pull down 10 rebounds.
Steel coach Janine Southby was suitably impressed.
''In a way I'm not surprised, particularly by their defensive effort,'' she said.
''Casey and Leana are a world-class outfit.
''You can make all sorts of changes but they will still always perform. But, also, if you look through the court they've got some very experienced players in there so they are not new to this level. Admittedly they haven't played together but they are very experienced players.
''They have started with confidence, so we certainly know we are up against it.''
However, the Steel should present its toughest challenge to date. With 1.98m shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid shouldering the bulk of the scoring responsibilities, the Steel always remains a threat.
The Jamaican international averaged more than 50 goals a game last year and is not easily shut down. It is getting her the ball that will prove tricky.
Despite her height being a significant advantage, the lob is not always on. So the Steel have been working on getting closer to the circle edge before feeding Fowler-Reid.
''There will be opportunities to get the ball in there but we just have to be really smart about it,'' Southby said.
''You don't put it into where they are going to be lurking. And Casey and Leana are both very tall and have great elevation, so we have to be a lot better at our passing game than what we've been in the last two weeks.
''They will try and confuse the space ... and try and shut down our connections, so our midcourt is an area where we really need to step up.
''We aren't getting on to that circle edge but when we do we are very accurate with our passing. It is a patience thing. We need to work with the speed and agility which we do have in abundance in our midcourt players.
''We need to stay available and help set up some good opportunities for our feeders.''
ANZ Championship
Steel v Magic
Where: Claudelands Arena, Hamilton.
When: Tonight, 7.40pm.
Teams
Steel: Jhaniele Fowler-Reid, Jodi Brown (captain), Shannon Francois, Phillipa Finch, Wendy Frew, Rachel Rasmussen, Phoenix Karaka, Erena Mikaere, Stacey Peters, Storm Purvis, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Gina Crampton.
Magic: Jo Harten, Ellen Halpenny, Grace Rasmussen, Courtney Tairi, Bessie Manu, Casey Kopua (captain), Leana de Bruin, Joanna Trip, Malia Paseka, Jamie-Lee Price, Brooke Lever, Samatha Sinclair, Katherine Coffin.
