The Steel was simply outclassed by the Magic 48-39 at Stadium Southland last night and coach Robyn Broughton was the first to concede that point.
"They had a lot of bad press and people had written them off," Broughton said.
"People said they had not been playing well . . . but there are six first line-up Silver Ferns and New Zealand [netball] was in trouble if they didn't perform.
"Quite frankly, on the day, they were better," she added.
Trailing by eight goals at half-time, the Steel kept fighting.
It closed to within four points shortly after half-time, but a few crucial errors and some sparkling netball by the Magic saw the gap balloon to 11 with 15min remaining.
The Steel won the final period 10-8.
But from the outset it was apparent the visitors meant business.
The Hamilton-based side had been widely criticised for some lacklustre performances, but turned the magic back on in front of a raucous 3000-strong crowd.
Casey Williams fought for the ball like a hungry seagull would a hot chip, Irene van Dyk was incomparable, Laura Langman busy and Joline Henry beautifully efficient.
The Steel was not that bad either, just in a different league.
The Magic grabbed the early initiative, shooting out to a 6-2 lead.
Williams and Leana de Bruin suffocated the Steel's attack.
Somehow, Williams was able to close the gap on the ball in the blink of an eye and caught Steel wing attack Adine Wilson, who was nursing a heavily strapped left ankle, several times.
Passes which looked set to reach their intended target were plucked out of the air as if Williams had magnetic hands.
It was that kind of brilliance which helped the visitors take a 15-11 lead into the first break.
Van Dyk used her height and size advantage and clearly got the better of Katrina Grant.
The Magic was finding its shooter with consummate ease.
Henry fired in a bullet from outside the attacking third and Langman used the lob to perfection.
Grant was not playing badly and hauled in some good ball.
But van Dyk, with her long limbs, was proving an easy target.
Williams and de Bruin continued to shut down Daneka Wipiiti and Donna Wilkins in the second period and held the home side to just six goals.
Trailing 25-17, there was one small consolation.
Van Dyk missed her first shot at goal against the Steel.
Amazingly, it took more than three hours of pressure netball before she finally proved to be human after all.
With van Dyk enjoying free rein, Broughton had to act and called on Megan Hutton.
Last year's first choice goal keep has been struggling with an Achilles injury since round one and the Steel has missed her physical presence.
Grant shifted to goal defence and Sheryl Scanlan to wing defence, with Erika Burgess taking a seat on the bench.
Former Steel shooter Jessica Tuki also took a rest, with Maria Tutaia replacing her at goal attack.
Buoyed by the crowd, the Steel rallied and closed the margin to four goals.
But the Magic found another gear and stretched the lead, pulling away like a sprinter from a middle distance runner.
Wilson limped off in the last quarter with her troubled calf giving her some pain.
Time would tell whether it was serious or not, she said.
Magic (Irene van Dyk 29/33, Jessica Tuki 9/14, Maria Tutaia 10/13) Steel (Daneka Wipiiti 28/38, Donna Wilkins 11/16).
First quarter 15-11, half-time 25-17, third quarter 40-29.
