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Giant task ahead for netballer Kristiana Manu’a as club battles for Super Netball finals spot

It’s a Giant task but netballer Kristiana Manu’a says the club is up for the challenge of netting a spot in the semi-finals of this year’s Super Netball competition.

Kristiana Manu'a, right, guarding Maria Folau, wife of rugby player Israel Folau.
Kristiana Manu'a, right, guarding Maria Folau, wife of rugby player Israel Folau.

Former Australian player Kristiana Manu’a says she has worked out how the Giants can make their third appearance in the Super Netball finals series.

And while it sounds simple enough it’s something they haven’t been doing in recent weeks - play great netball for 60 minutes.

“It sounds simple but we’ve not been consistent across a while game yet,’’ said Manu’a, who honed her talent in Liverpool before moving to Parramatta to be closer to the Giants netball base at Sydney Olympic Park.

Giants players Kristiana Manu'a (left) and Caitlin Bassett celebrate a win early in the Super Netball season.
Giants players Kristiana Manu'a (left) and Caitlin Bassett celebrate a win early in the Super Netball season.

“We need to produce a full 60 minutes and we will be right.’’

The Giants are currently in fourth place on the Super Netball ladder heading into their do-or-die match against West Coast Fever at Qudos Bank Arena on Saturday.

But Manu’a and her teammates are just a point ahead of the Collingwood Magpies who are making a late dive for the playoffs.

“There is so much in the line for us,’’ she said.

“Right now we are trying not to think about the overall outcome but more about just playing well, well and consistently.’’

Kristiana Manu'a, right, guarding Maria Folau, wife of rugby player Israel Folau.
Kristiana Manu'a, right, guarding Maria Folau, wife of rugby player Israel Folau.

The last time the Giants played Perth the result was a controversial 62-draw after a scoring bungle saw a last second goal by Australian captain Caitlin Bassett fail to count.

The Fever will be without Diamond defender and their captain Courtney Bruce due to injury.

The match is the first since Giants captain Kim Green announced on Thursday she will be wrapping up her Super netball career at the end of the Giants’ 2-19 campaign.

SATURDAY

GIANTS Netball v West Coast Fever, 3pm

Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney

NSW Swifts v QLD Firebirds, 5pm

Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/parramatta/sport/giant-task-ahead-for-netballer-kristiana-manua-as-club-battles-for-super-netball-finals-spot/news-story/8d434f5eca91aee592e97ab85ee50927