Kia Magic defender ready to raise the bar

Press Release April 25, 2013

Struggling to hit her own high expectations, Kia Magic defender Leana de Bruin is looking to change all that in Sunday’s ANZ Championship netball showdown against Central Pulse in Wellington.

A proven performer under pressure, the Silver Ferns defensive rock is relishing the chance to lock horns with Caitlin Thwaites and Donna Wilkins, Pulse’s dynamic shooting duo.

Frustrated with her start to the season for the Waikato/Bay of Plenty team, the veteran defender is at her bullish best in challenging situations and is looking forward to the upcoming clash as the perfect opportunity to raise the tempo.

``I think they’re phenomenal,’’ de Bruin said of the Pulse shooters.

``The get some amazing ball to each other and just that faith they have in each other that they will be in the right place at the right time. They’ve got guts those girls and just as a combination, they’re getting stronger and stronger.

``At the same time, that’s what we like…..we like challenges like that. I’m really looking forward to the game and the challenge those two will present, that’s what we thrive under.’’

Pulse have assembled an impressive line-up this season, their motivation certain to be heightened following an unlucky one-goal extra time loss to Northern Mystics in the last round.

Kia Magic had their momentum stalled by a lack lustre loss to West Coast Fever two weeks ago followed by a bye. Returning to action with a 20-goal win over Canterbury Tactix in the latest round, however, did not leave the defending champions entirely happy.

``It’s quite frustrating at the moment because the flow we usually have on attack is not quite there yet,’’ de Bruin said. ``I’m not happy with my own performance. The Tactix game was a little bit of a step-up for me and I got a little more involved in deflections and stuff.

``I’ve been a bit quiet the first three games….I want hand on ball and I’m not getting enough hand on ball at the moment which is a little bit frustrating. You try really hard to analyse stuff and I think sometimes you can try too hard, so I just want to go back to enjoying myself because that seems to be when I play my best.’’

The de Bruin-Casey Kopua defensive combination has not reached the impressive heights of last year which has added to the frustration. De Bruin said there were glimpses against the Tactix and is confident the wheel is turning, patience being the key.

``It’s just a matter of everybody fronting up on the day,’’ she said. ``We are the type of team who can perform when we’ve got our backs to the wall and I don’t doubt Pulse will put us under pressure.

``I am looking forward to seeing our product out there because to date we haven’t nailed things exactly as we would have wanted. It’s going to be a great battle but at the end of the day, it’s going to be, not really so much who wants it the most because both teams will want it as bad as the other, but who keeps their heads.’’

As for Pulse’s passionate and supportive home crowd, that won’t faze de Bruin

``For me personally, I love that atmosphere and it brings the best out in me,’’ she said. ``That’s when I enjoy it most, when you know you’re in a tough battle and you know you’ve got an extra player on the court with the crowd involvement. It’s not intimidating at all, I love it and it’s great for the game.’’

Jane Hunt
Kia Magic media liaison
Ph: 021-107-0287

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