Netball: De Bruin predicting tough encounter against Steel

Leana de Bruin
Leana de Bruin
You could almost hear the other four New Zealand netball franchises collectively sigh when the Magic announced Silver Ferns defender Leana de Bruin would be joining the team this season.

Her presence, and the recruitment of Steel shooter Jessica Tuki, takes the number of past or present Silver Ferns in the squad to eight.

To top it off, the Magic also poached Samoan international Frances Solia from the Central Pulse.

The Waikato-Bay of Plenty side is stacked with talent and it hardly seems fair to have so many quality players in one team.

But de Bruin reckons the Magic will have its hands full this weekend with a pretty useful Steel side, particularly with the Steel's attack end.

With Silver Fern shooter Daneka Wipiiti's height, and Donna Wilkins' vast experience, the pair form a dangerous combination.

But in de Bruin and classy Silver Ferns goal keep Casey Williams, the Magic has one of the best defensive duos in the ANZ Championship.

Wilkins strengthened the Steel, de Bruin pointed out.

"She is obviously still a very good player and has got things that she does really well," she said.

"We'll be looking at ways to combat that."

Ask how she planned to counter Wipiiti's height, de Bruin gave a succinct answer: "Jump."

At 1.9m, de Bruin will not be overawed, and Williams is an outstanding athlete with impressive vertical lift.

Magic coach Noeline Taurua sprang a surprise in the Magic's opening match against the Mystics by starting de Bruin at goal keep and Williams at goal defence.

"I suppose Noeline just wanted to try something different and probably wanted to see how we would go that way round.

"It gives us variety."

De Bruin moved south from the Mystics and has found fitting in a breeze.

Her combination with Williams is well-honed from their experience in the Silver Ferns.

"Monday was obviously just a start for us [at the Magic] and we are hoping to build on that combination."

The Magic comprehensively outplayed the Mystics 51-38, but playing against her old team-mates was "not the easiest thing".

"I just had to think they are just another team and couldn't really get emotionally involved."

De Bruin was happy with the Magic's first-up effort but thought the team faded in the second half.

As for the Steel's 55-46 win over the Pulse, de Bruin was surprised the Pulse "hung in".

"No doubt they'll [the Steel] be better than last week."

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