Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic's ability to rise to the challenge is set to be tested once more as they face the table-topping Adelaide Thunderbirds in Tauranga this weekend.

More than 3000 fans will pack the TECT Arena at Baypark on Saturday night to watch as the Magic attempt to secure their eighth straight win of the ANZ Championship.

Irene Van Dyk shoots for the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic.

Coach Noeline Taurua says the team is keeping a positive attitude ahead of the game against the top of the table side.

'I'm excited. It's a great challenge and a great opportunity.

'Irrelevant of who they are, or where they're placed on the table, our philosophy has always been ourselves against ourselves.

'This is a great challenge; you can't get any better opposition.”

Noeline says if the Magic can win their next two games, depending on the performance of the other teams, they could enter the semi-finals as the number one side.

Aided by a home venue tomorrow night, she is certain Magic can pull it off.

'We love TECT Arena - it's the only place we have been able to train that we actually play at.

'We know the court, we know everything about it, it feels like our home.

She says a sold-out crowd will definitely be a bonus.

'Our heads in the right place. There's never a dull moment.”

Magic shooter Irene van Dyk is not intimidated by the Thunderbird's number one position.

'Irrelevant of the table, these last three games of the season were always going to be hugely challenging.”

Irene, who achieved senior citizen status in netballing terms after celebrating her 40th birthday on Thursday, says despite the team's winning streak they are not going to get complacent.

'There's no room for complacency. We're happy with where we are at but we know that the work isn't half done yet.

'There's still a truckload of things to come and it's just getting harder, there's nothing easy about it.”

She says the Thunderbirds have a well-rounded team with few weaknesses and plenty of strike power and she believes how the Magic cope with the ability of Australian teams have of wearing down their opponents will be a key factor in the game's outcome.
'We have to be really smart playing against them and that means staying sharp on the ball and being clinical with our execution.

'Nothing less than our A double plus game will get us across the line.”
Irene will play her 118th game for Magic on Saturday night.