The resumption of netball's ANZ premiership will prove a real test of coaching acumen believes the coach of defending champions the Pulse, Yvette McCausland Durie.
The competition resumes on Friday night when the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic play the Mystics.
All of the games in the first half of the competition will be played in Auckland, meaning the Southern Steel, the Tactix and the Pulse will be clocking up the air miles.
McCausland-Durie says with games being shortened to ten minute quarters and teams havING to play back to back matches, coaches will have to make adjustments.
"Absolutely. The ability to think about the shortened quarters along with managing our playing rosters (will be key). It's an area I feel really confident with - we have a good strong ten ...and we have also got strong leaders who understand the high performance environment and we have been working really hard to make sure we're ready," said McCausland-Durie.
The Pulse will be relying on the leadership of Silver Ferns Ameliaranne Ekenasion and Katrina Rore in their bid to retain their ANZ Premiership title. Photo: Photosport
"This competition will be really interesting in lots of ways. Every team has got good balance across the court...it will be really tough and competitive and add in the challenge of travel I just hope we can come out the right side of it in the end."
"The back to backs will be tough, but that's okay they're just challenges sent to test us and there will be moments when it feels really tough but its something we are ready for and its something that we have talked about but largely we just need to get on with it.
McCausland-Durie is relieved her side doesn't have the travel schedule of the Steel.
"I mean you think you have it tough and somebody's got it harder but we are up for the challenge and we want to be in the grand final so we do what we have to."
The Pulse resume their season against Northern Stars, the team they beat in last year's final, on Sunday.
The Steel play the Tactix on Saturday and the Tactix and Stars then square off on Monday evening.
-RNZ
