The season is looming as the Southern Steel heads into its final pre-season matches in Otaki.
It begins with games against the Northern Mystics and Central Pulse at the ANZ Premiership’s pre-season tournament today.
The Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic follows tomorrow and the Northern Stars round out the opposition on Sunday.
While the past pre-season matches had been about getting everyone on court, this time coach Reinga Bloxham is looking for more consistency.
The season-opener is just 17 days away and the strengthening combinations was now important.
"I think its really key again to build up some consistency in our court play," Bloxham said.
"Even at Super Club I used our training partners quite a lot and gave them some ample time.
"But I think it’s important this is our last serious gameplay before we head into competition, so as much as possible I want to have some settled line-ups for longer periods of time if I can.
"So I think that’s really key to help us keep building on that, really pushing that connection to see how far we can go."
While there were a few niggles in the squad, there were no major injuries that would keep anyone out.
Training partners Kiana Pelasio and Della-May Vining will also travel with the team.
That will give it extra depth, which may come in handy today.
It has two games, the second being a 40-minute hit out against the defending champion Pulse.
"It will be a good test.
"We’ve never done the four games before; we’ve always just had the three hour games.
"Friday’s going to be a massive day for us.
"It just means as a coach you have to think about who you’re going to put on the court.
"Make sure we’re resting people but also giving people enough time that they’re going to develop those connections, those combinations out on court."
The Steel begins its ANZ Premiership campaign in Dunedin against the Magic on March 16.
