BNZ Northern Kāhu
If you THINK the Kāhu will be pleased to not see the Pouākai again for a while THEN you just hope fate will bring these two back together again in the finals. This year's Kāhu/Pouākai 3-game series gave us so many thrills, spills, highlights and spice with the Pouākai boasting a couple of thrilling wins. Let's hope we get to see these two teams square-off one more time in 2024.
The Northern Group Tauranga Whai
If you THINK the Whai can make a run to the Final 4 THEN it should also come with the knowledge that this is a team capable of going all the way. Now with a settled starting five, and the return of Morgan Yaeger just around the corner, the Whai all of a sudden look a legit threat on this year's title. Yes, it took them a while to figure it out, and the return of Mikayla Cowling is more than handy, but buckle up because the ride from here will be a whole lot of fun.
Southern Hoiho
If you THINK the Hoiho let one slip against the Queens THEN they don't have time to dwell on it because next up is a return bout in the capital this Sunday afternoon against the same team, and with Jordan Horston likely to return from a minor injury. There is a lot to like about the competitiveness and fight of the Hoiho, but they sit at 2-5 and can ill afford to drop too many more games.
ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens
If you THINK the Queens went through some nervous moments in the final stages of their 86-85 win against the Hoiho THEN the steadying leadership of Stella Beck ensured this one wasn't going to get away from them. In a thrilling game with so many lead changes, Beck stuffed the stat sheet and came out on top of so many 50-50 contests down the stretch - increasing her position and reputation as (arguably) the best captain in the competition.
