In the blue corner, representing the Southern Steel franchise, will be former Otago Rebels Debbie White, Katrina Grant and Jessica Tuki.
In in the red corner, wearing the colours of Canterbury, will be Otago's Phillipa Finch, Jodi Brown and Anna Thompson and the Rebels' Australian import of last season, Demelza Fellows.
It is a fact not lost on Finch, a Balclutha-raised Otago netballer who opted to head north to ply her trade.
Last year's Rebels player of the season admits she was initially unsure how she would react to playing for the Canterbury Tactix, when the prospect of moving north raised its head.
‘‘When I first thought about playing for Canterbury I was like, ‘I don't know. I've always been Otago through and through'. But now the game is getting professional and everyone is playing everywhere, it doesn't really matter.
‘‘Wearing Canterbury's colours is fine. I don't mind it at all. Red and black looks good.''
Helping Finch's transition has been her team's successful start to the ANZ Championship.
The Tactix have been the surprise packet of the opening two rounds, beating the Northern Mystics 56-52 in their first match and then stamping their authority over the New South Wales Swifts 50-44.
‘‘We're not really surprised about our success, to date,‘‘ Finch said.
‘‘It's an awesome environment and the team is buzzing after two wins. We know we have to work hard and work as a team, and that's what we're doing.
‘‘We've got lots of support and lots of experience. It seems to be coming together nicely and paying off.‘‘
Finch trialled for the Steel franchise late last year but, after a delay in selecting teams while contract negotiations were sorted out, she opted to play for the Tactix.
The prospect of more court time in Canterbury helped sway her decision.
‘‘I had a few decisions to make and I decided Canterbury was the better way to go for me.
‘‘There were some options from a few franchises and the Steel was an option I looked at.''
Finch lives in Dunedin but heads north with Brown and Thompson on Thursdays to train and prepare for the weekend match.
She said the travel factor was not as bad as she expected.
‘‘I thought it would be pretty tough and tiring but it's fine. It's a short flight up. It helps make it more fun and enjoyable when you've got players you've played with before in the team.''
Finch has put her teaching career on hold while she gives professional netball a decent crack and is particularly enjoying the opportunity to test herself against Australian opposition.
‘‘They're so fast and it's a different type of play.
‘‘I'm loving being able to focus on the netball but it's important to keep some balance in your life.
‘‘You can't train all the time otherwise you just get absolutely knackered.''
