The coaching relationship between Yvonne Willering and assistant Te Aroha Keenan at the Northern Mystics has come under the spotlight in recent weeks, while the Central Pulse's English import Sonia Mkoloma is reportedly seeking a move to an Australian franchise -- a claim both player and management have sought to water down.
Both struggling franchises will be hoping to place any off court issues to one side as they prepare for their respective local derbies this weekend -- the last opportunity for "infighting" among the New Zealand teams before they resume taking on Australian opposition.
The Pulse open the round with a visit to the Southern Steel on Saturday while the seventh-placed Mystics host the Canterbury Tactix in Auckland on Monday -- a game they must win to keep their fading semifinal hopes alive.
Mkolomo was reportedly frustrated with the set up in Wellington though she has indicated a desire to see out her one-year contract.
Pulse chief executive Kristine Mayo spoke to Mkoloma, who told her she had been misinterpreted.
"She said there was nothing we need to know about, the team's getting on really well and she's got no issues with anything else, so we're okay," Mayo said.
A problem with their marquee player is the last thing the Pulse need as they strive to end a seven-game losing streak in Invercargill.
On a positive note they are hosted by an opposition that has not proved as dominant as its predecessors in the domestic netball championship, the Southern Sting.
Robyn Broughton's eighth-placed squad have had the bye week to contemplate a two-win five-loss start to the season -- a poor return for one of the game's traditional powerhouses.
The veteran coach was aware of the debate surrounding Mkolomo, a player she rated highly.
"She's been playing well, she's a very useful player so it must be hard.
"She obviously picks up a lot of ball that they probably don't convert."
However, she doubted it would adversely affect the Pulse, who were narrowly beaten 50-52 when the teams first met during round two last month.
"They're gutsy. They've been doing what we're doing," Broughton said. "They've been letting it go. Last week (against the Mystics) they slipped up at the wrong time."
The Pulse led into the final quarter against Willering's struggling side but eventually succumbed 48-54 in the eighth round clash.
Broughton was desperate not to hand the Pulse a morale-boosting win and felt the week off had ironed out some flaws.
"We want to stamp some authority on our game," she said.
"We've been letting it go a bit at times when we shouldn't have."
Willering, meanwhile, hoped the necessary win over the Pulse had relieved some of the pressure surrounding her high quality though under-performing roster.
It had been reported some Auckland players were frustrated at a lack of court time as Willering favoured her old charges at (North Harbour's) Northern Force. Keenan was said to be concerned at her apparent lack of coaching input.
Willering denied both accusations saying the team have stuck together admirably during a flat patch results wise.
Meanwhile, across the Tasman the Queensland Firebirds can draw level at the top of the table with the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic on 14 points should they defeat the Adelaide Thunderbirds on Monday.
The third-placed Melbourne Vixens are also expected to close in on the Magic when they host the battling West Coast Fever on Sunday.
