Pulse Shooter Thriving In New-Found Home

Scoop

3 days ago

Grateful for the lifeline, shooter Amorangi Malesala is all set to inject her special skill-set in a key outing for Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse in their final regular season match of the ANZ Premiership netball league.
Needing a win to stitch up third spot and a place in the Finals Series, the Pulse come up against the Magic in Tauranga on Saturday, Malesala having highlighted the impetus she can provide following the introduction of new rules this season.
In particular, the two-point shot rule, which comes into effect for the final five minutes of each quarter, and which is tailor-made for the play-making Malesala.
Drafted in to the Pulse as an injury replacement ahead of the season, Malesala, 26, is a slick ball-handling creator, while throughout her career she has also been totally comfortable shooting from range.
That adds an extra dynamic up her sleeve for the all-import super shot phases of the game. Ice cool under the hoop, Malesala feels no extra pressure with the introduction of the two-point shot, the situation at the time dictating how it is played out.
``I know what I'm capable of, that's been my style of play for a while now but it also comes down to shot selection,'' she said. ``If we're only up by two and even if I am in the position to shoot a two, it's best to back the ones until you get to a comfortable phase where you can actually start putting away the twos.
``The last thing I want is to keep going for twos and missing which gives the opposition opportunities, so it's being aware of when to put up the twos. But I feel like I've found that middle ground of being selective on what type of shots to put up.''
The Magic have two dab-hand two-point shooters of their own and on their day are a real threat.
``We've seen moments where they've closed the gap because of their two-point shot, so I think it's important for us to make sure we start strongly and try to get on top of them before the 10-minute mark,'' Malesala said.
``Otherwise, if we leave it to the last five minutes (super shot phase), Ameliaranne (Ekenasio) and Saviour (Tui) are very capable two-point shooters, so we have to create moments to get ahead ourselves.
``They're a good side. They have a few Silver Ferns in there and are a tight-knit team, so you can't overlook that, and we have to find ways to exploit them.''
Malesala radiates real joy when she's playing, a passion for the contest and plenty of positive energy. She's quickly been adopted as a fan favourite by the large home crowds the team draws to TSB Arena in Wellington and is lapping it up.
``I don't take any opportunity for granted, so I just try to play freely and I really just enjoy expressing myself,'' she said.
``If I was to reflect on a few years ago when I played for the Stars and playing in front of the TSB crowd, there was a feeling that you'd certainly want them on your side. So, to be able to be in the Pulse experiencing that home crowd is pretty special and they always give me plenty of support which is cool…..and advice of when to shoot.''
Coach Anna Andrews-Tasola has some positive selection headaches with the return of midcourters Fa'amu Ioane, from illness, and Whitney Souness, from concussion. Shooter Tiana Metuarau remains under a cloud with a muscle strain while defender Parris Mason, who is undergoing treatment for a neck injury, will not be available.
Malesala will complete an eventful year when she's admitted to the bar in November and become a qualified lawyer. In a special family ceremony, Malesala will join sister Kimiora when the pair are admitted to the bar together.
``It is pretty special but it's also been pretty tough as well,'' she said. ``I have to acknowledge the College of Law for being very patient with me in giving me extensions here and there and working closely with me to ensure that I could balance netball and study.''
Well-travelled during her netball career, South Auckland remains Malesala's spiritual home where her upbringing and culture play an important role in her life, lending to her also being fluent in three languages.
``I'm Māori-Samoan, so I'm fluent in Te Reo Māori and I also grew up speaking Samoan at home,'' she said. ``It's really important for me to be grounded in my culture and I try to give my all to both, and it's important for me, to carry that wherever I go.''