The Silver Ferns midcourter made the brave leap of faith to join the Southern Steel this season after seven seasons with the Mainland Tactix — and it is paying off.
The Steel co-captain has been a driving force through the midcourt — sliding from centre to wing attack — and counts herself lucky to be backed by coaches Wendy Frew and Liana Leota, who were midcourt dynamos in their day.
"I’m really enjoying it," Poi said.
"It’s been a good change. Change of environment, obviously, playing with different people and different coaches.
"Personally I’ve got the best of both worlds having an attacking midcourt coach and a defensive midcourt coach.
"Having Liana ... she just really challenges us to play the game in a different way and [is] making sure we’re seeing all the options. It’s been really good having her."
Moving to the Steel has been helped by her connection to shooter Aliyah Dunn, who has been another standout performer and put up a large volume each week.
The duo played together at the Tactix the past two seasons — albeit sporadically last year due to Dunn’s injury — but their connection appears to have picked up where it left off.
"It’s been awesome coming down here with her," Poi said.
"She’s such a strong target and obviously really accurate at the back there and demands the ball, so it gives us confidence to just give it to her."
Poi has been leading the attack end for most of the season and working seamlessly alongside young pocket rocket Serina Daunakamakama, though the latter missed the dramatic win over the Pulse on Monday night with injury.
Co-captain Kate Heffernan has returned after missing the start of the season through injury, and Poi is loving the ability to play two different styles with her midcourt partners.
"It’s been awesome playing with Serina, actually.
"She’s so fast, and nippy, and kind of runs our attack end.
"Obviously having Kate back is also nice. Just to chance it up a little bit and keep teams guessing.
"I think we’ve got good depth in our midcourt, which is great to have."
While there have been moments where the Steel have struggled throughout the season, they have shown there is a real buzz among this squad to be better, and Monday’s remarkable comeback must have delivered a shot of confidence.
When they let the ball go and play with width and depth across the court, they are hard to stop.
Defensively, when they have the confidence to have a fly, and create chances for each other, things start to happen.
But Poi knew the back end of the season was crucial for them — "every game is important for us" — especially if they want to be in the fight for the elimination final.
"I guess the mindset is still playing our own game.
"Playing that free-flowing game that we can play, not getting too caught up on thinking about the outcome but actually playing the game we know how to play."
Crowds in Dunedin and Invercargill added another vibe to their games this season, and the Steel will be hoping for another big turnout when they host the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic this afternoon.
Poi has been the dominant feeder for the Steel this season and sits third on the ANZ Premiership ladder with 233.
Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic wing attack Claire O’Brien sits just above Poi with 247, and she is someone the Steel will need to shut down.
The Magic will be stinging after their 12-goal loss to the Mystics last weekend.
The Steel thumped the Magic 69-41 in the second round.
ANZ Premiership
Invercargill, 4pm
Southern Steel: Aliyah Dunn, Georgia Heffernan, Summer Temu, Serina Daunakamakama, Kate Heffernan, Kimiora Poi, Renee Savai’inaea, Carys Stythe, Abby Lawson, Khayne-Lii Munro-Nonoa.
Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic: Saviour Tui, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Kate Taylor, Claire O’Brien, Ali Wilshier, Reeghan de Bono, Georgie Edgecombe, Georgia Tong, Oceane Maihi, Erena Mikaere.
ANZ Premiership points: Tactix 19, Mystics 18, Pulse 10, Steel 10, Magic 8, Stars 3.
