Tasi-Cordtz's side did not do itself justice in its opening-round loss to Southland. And Otago's next opponent, Wellington, did not extend any favours by emerging as a "strong contender" with a shock 63-40 win against Auckland.
It was a double whammy for Otago.
"It was massive for us," Tasi-Cordtz said.
"That was one game we were really targeting for a win. The result means we are going to have to topple one or two other teams. It makes it that much harder.
"And Wellington had a great win against Auckland. It was a big score and I was expecting it to be the other way around. Wellington aren't a team with stars but they are a good wee team."
Otago can undo some of the damage with a win against Wellington in Porirua tomorrow. Based on its opening performance the team will need to make some drastic improvements.
The much-vaunted attack end of former Silver Ferns shooter Jodi Brown and Te Paea Selby-Rickit showed glimpses of potential but the new combination also faltered at times.
Southland defenders Te Huinga Selby-Rickit and Sarah Barnes swooped on the loose ball and nabbed most of the rebounds.
Teenage shooter Ashleigh Smith turned in a player-of-the-match performance down the other end to help sink Otago.
New Steel defender Louise Thayer had a reasonable second half but Otago was not able to generate much ball on defence.
Tasi-Cordtz said her side needs to defend harder throughout court instead of leaving it all to the circle defenders. But it is down the other end where she needs to see the greatest improvement.
"We had almost a whole session on attacking that circle edge and finishing off those passes into our shooters.
"I think we put the shooters under a lot of pressure at the weekend by not finishing off the passes. Sometimes your shooting falters if you have to work too hard to get that ball. So we did a lot of work on bringing that ball down as stress-free as we can and giving the ball to our shooters on a nice silver platter."
While Auckland was without the services of Cathrine Latu and Kayla Cullen, Wellington's win was still impressive.
Wellington was clinical on attack with Jamilah Gupwell landing all 22 of her attempts and Jezrae Te Runa-Morehu (31 from 35) and Alicia College (10/10) also playing well.
The midcourt pairing of Frances Solia and Ngarama Milner-Olsen have plenty of experience, and Wellington gives nothing on defence with Elizabeth Manu and Cushla Lichtwark both bruising players.
While Wellington might not have the star power of Canterbury or Auckland, Tasi-Cordtz rates the team highly.
"They have real experience throughout court and the players have been around a long time.
"No game is going to be easy. But it is an opportunity for us to learn from last weekend and move on, and hopefully iron out the errors that we had."
