Waikato - BOP Magic midcourter Courtney Tairi has postponed her birthday celebrations, the team are hoping to break out the champagne after their trans - Tasman netball conference final against the Southern Steel in the deep south today.
Tairi turned 28-years-old on Friday, and captain Leana du Bruin messaged her the morning.
"Happy Birthday Coco and hopefully we can celebrate on Sunday," she said
The Magic have a tough ask to tip up the minor premiers, the Steel finished top of the standings after going through the season unbeaten.
Tairi has a bit of extra motivation, she made her ANZ Championship debut with the Southern franchise and lined up in the Silver Ferns dress for the first time too so she's hoping three times a charm,
"Hopefully we can win the conference final down there as well."
She's found her groove at the business end of the season, playing a massive part in her sides win over the Mystics last weekend.
Her midcourt combination with Silver Fern Grace Rassmussen has really helped the side push for a finals spot.
Both coaches know how tp get the job done, Magic mentor Julie Fitzgerald took the Swifts to glory in 2008, while the Steel's Noeline Taurua lifted the silverware with the visiting Magic's side in 2012.
The winner of this game gets a home semifinal against the loser of the Queensland Firebirds or Laura Langman's New South Wales Swifts outfit.
Newshub.