Tuki, a former Otago Rebel, transferred to the Magic this season but has had limited opportunities with Silver Ferns shooting combination Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia hogging the majority of the court time.
But with regular wing attack Frances Solia straining her calf two weeks ago, Tuki suddenly found herself in Solia's bib.
Unfortunately, her midcourt stint also coincided with the Magic's alarming form slide.
The Waikato-Bay of Plenty side was thrashed 54-35 by the Thunderbirds in Adelaide in its final round-robin match and then the Vixens rubbed salt into the wound with a 58-43 win in the major semifinal last weekend.
Critics have rounded on the Silver Fern-laden side demanding to know what has gone wrong.
But despite the criticism, Tuki said the camp remained confident it could lift for the sudden-death match.
"A lot of the girls are experienced enough not to buy into the criticism," Tuki said.
"We stick together and don't read too much into it. It is going to be quite nice going in as underdogs. But don't write us off."
Solia has been training this week and is expected to take the court.
That probably means Tuki will be back on the bench.
While wing attack is not Tuki's favoured position, she has trained there this season to cover if there was an injury.
Last season Steel coach Robyn Broughton suggested her future might lie in the midcourt.
But the former Silver Fern is determined to remain a shooter, although she was happy to fill in where required.
"I didn't mind it. It was a little bit scary, coming into it at such a crucial time in the competition but I knew when I signed for the team I would have to cover that position as well.
"The girls are really supportive. I've got great shooters to feed and a great midcourt to back me up, so it wasn't that scary."
Tuki said the Magic had taken heart from the Steel's good showing against the Thunderbirds in the minor semifinal and, in particular, the efforts of shooters Donna Wilkins and Megan Dehn.
The pair's mobile style caused the Thunderbirds' defence some problems and it was a game plan the Magic may look to emulate, Tuki said.
"I think we need to use more ball speed down the attack end and get Geva [Mentor] moving and throw the ball in when they are unaware.
"Dehn and Wilkins did a really good job of keeping that circle moving and they didn't give the defence time to turn around."
The Magic's resources have been stretched for the match due to the unavailability of pregnant defender Leana de Bruin, doubt over Solia's fitness and the loss to injury of attacker Halana Leith.
That has meant a last-minute scramble to assemble a mix capable of mustering a decent challenge against an imposing Adelaide side.
Heavy losses to the Thunderbirds (19 goals) and minor premiers Melbourne Vixens (15 goals) in the past fortnight have cast Magic firmly in the underdog category as it looks to cement a place in the final for the second successive year.
Regardless of whether coach Noeline Taurua drafts in a replacement player to bolster the ranks, she still has a contingent of five Silver Ferns to lead the charge.
The home venue has proved crucial in this competition and after playing their last three games across the Tasman, the Magic players are relishing the opportunity of having 3500 noisy supporters on their side.
Sharpshooter Irene van Dyk is the key for the Magic, and if she gets enough ball in her hands the home team must rate its chances.
The players have rallied around coach Noeline Taurua, who has borne the brunt of the team's failings, and would like nothing better than to repay their coach with an upset result.
"I think she has done a great job to get us to the playoffs," van Dyk said.
"The criticism shouldn't stop at Noeline's door. She has provided everything we need in coaching terms and at the end of the day it comes down to the players being able to do it.
"We, as players, need to take more responsibility and ownership of what we are putting out on court."
Tomorrow's winner will play the Melbourne Vixens in the grand final in Melbourne on either July 26 or 27.
