Round 13 of the ANZ Premiership season is set to be the biggest round yet.

Not only are three teams still vying for a finals spot but the rescheduled round 11 game between the Mainland Tactix and the Central Pulse is set to be the opening match this Friday night.

The Mainland Tactix are the team to watch after a very shaky start to the season

Karin Burger and Jane Watson have found their groove and become the defensive duo to look out for. Together they have more than 100 deflections and 40 intercepts while also remaining the least penalised defenders in the league.

It was the pair’s defensive effort in Sunday’s match against the Central Pulse that led to a 15-goal win.  Burger doing an immense amount of work with 12 centre pass receives, in addition to five gains and an intercept.

Coming up against the same challenge this week, the duo will again work hard to contain the Pulse goalers, Aaliyah Dunn (who may return from injury) and Te Amo Amaru Tibble and it should be a battle to watch.

Similarly, the Tactix have found their missing link in Te Paea Selby-Rickit, who suffered from an ankle injury early on. Not only has she made all the difference bringing her experience and leadership to the court but her connection with Ellie Bird has flourished and the pair are looking stronger than ever.

With two games this week the challenge for the Tactix will be maintaining this work ethic they have come accustomed to. If they can take out the win against the Central Pulse and the Northern Stars, they will move into second place with a pretty easy run home into the finals.

Game 1. Friday Night 7.15 pm NZST Central Pulse vs Mainland Tactix  (#PULvTAC)

Game 2. Monday Night 7.15pm NZST Mainland Tactix vs Northern Stars

Central Pulse vs Mainland Tactix (Friday 7.15pm)

This a game to watch as the Pulse will be looking to redeem themselves from last weekend’s loss and the Tactix will be looking to cement their position in the finals.

Central Pulse vs Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic (Sunday 4.15pm)

This will be Pulse’s second game of the weekend and if they manage to secure both wins they will also be in contention for a finals spot and with how even the competition is at the moment this is not impossible.  The Magic will be looking to put some firepower back in their side after a few close misses to game wins that have left them at the bottom of the ladder.

Southern Steel vs Northern Mystics (Sunday 6.15pm)

A clash at the top of the table from first place Mystics and third place Steel. It will be a shootout between Grace Nweke and George Fisher that will help determine both the Southern Steel and Northern Mystics position in the lead up to finals.

Mainland Tactix vs Northern Stars (Monday 7.15pm)

This will be a physically tough match for both teams. The Mainland Tactix are statistically the best defensive team, where is the North Stars midcourt and shooting duo can sometimes seem unstoppable. The Northern Stars will be look to take this win and secure their place in their first final series in five years.

If you are outside of NZ, you can watch all ANZP games here.