A five-game winning streak has the Robinhood Stars planted firmly at the top of the ANZ Premiership ladder and the Kiri Wills-coached side looks comfortably placed in the hot seat.

They line up for a second shot at the defending champion Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse at home, having beaten them by four goals in last month’s season opener, but defender Anna Harrison said they would need to re-think their approach this time around.

“We just know that every time we meet a team again, for the second or third time, we’re going to have to change and be prepared because you learn a lot once you’ve played a team,” she said.

The former Silver Fern said it was important the Stars “stick to our processes” even when pressure mounted.

The Stars have the best defensive record in the competition, conceding just 48 goals per match and have the second-best attacking record - scoring 58 goals per game.

The Stars have only lost four of 20 quarters played so far and have led at every quarter break. They haven't lost a first quarter all season.

Pulse captain Claire Kersten was last week left lamenting another game where they had opportunities to grab maximum points, but lacked flow and punch through the middle at key moments, leaving them with another bonus point loss, this time against the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel.

Now, with just the one win on the board and four losses, the midcourter says each game is a “must win” for her side in what was a closely fought Premiership.

ANZ Premiership Round 6: Robinhood Stars vs Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse- Sunday 23rd May 4:15pm, Pulman Arena, Auckland

You might also be interested in...