Experienced shooter Cathrine Tuivaiti is at odds with her Northern Mystics coach Debbie Fuller over the problems around the side's winless start to the season.
Fuller recently stated she was unhappy with the side's fitness in the wake of their final quarter meltdowns in losses to the Southern Steel and the Perth based West Coast Fever.
Mystics coach Debbie Fuller (right) Photo: Photosport
The Mystics play the Central Pulse in Wellington tonight.
The talk of lack of fitness has annoyed Tuivaiti who knows it puts her at odds with Fuller.
"I have my own opinion and I don't think it matches the Mystics...instantly when we lose or anyone loses, always the first question is are they fit enough?," she said.
Cathrine Tuivaiti (nee Latu) battles for possesion with former WKBOP Magic defender Casey Kopua. Photo: Photosport
"I think that's complete rubbish. It's just a mental toughness thing that we haven't dealth with on our part and there's a few girls...that haven't been in that situation before and we're definitely learning and we know that this game (against the Pulse) is one that we can take," she said.
Tuivaiti said having reviewed their two losses they are concentrating on netball basics.
"Someone pointed out that we are really good at doing the hard things but the basics we let slip and that's quite evident when we watch our games back."
Lack of experience is another factor Tuivaiti believes is hampering the side.
"Gosh we are asking a lot of some of our players to play out of position and at ANZ champs level.....we have got two girls who have never set foot on an ANZ championship stage and who have played (nearly) two full games so far.
"That's no excuse though as we have an experienced enough team..and its certainly not good enough by our own standards," said Tuivaiti.