There will be some divided loyalties in the Rasmussen household when the Central Pulse takes on the Northern Mystics in Auckland on Monday night.
Rachel Rasmussen is set to play her second ANZ Championship game for the Pulse since being drafted in as a temporary replacement for the injured Katrina Grant and the former Mystics defender says she is looking forward to taking on her former team-mates and younger sister Grace.
"It's definitely the first time I've played against my sister but the upside is I've played and trained with all the Auckland the girls so hopefully I'll be able to use that to my advantage," Rasmussen said.
"All the family will be there at the game and my daughter has said she's going to cheer for Aunty Grace in the Mystics then go for the Pulse," she added with a laugh.
Rasmussen impressed against the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic last weekend, particularly given she had been playing club netball in Auckland until she got the SOS call from the Pulse.
"It was a good game to come back to and a good measure for myself," she said.
"I thought defensively as a unit we worked really well together. Although the third quarter may have let us down a little I thought we competed really well against a top team."
Rasmussen was pleased with the way she and Ama Agbeze had quickly been able to forge an understanding in the defensive circle, especially as the pair had had limited preparation time leading into the match.
"It was pretty good considering we were up against one of New Zealand's top combinations with Jodi [Brown] and Irene [van Dyk]," said Rasmussen.
"I think the communication really worked well for us. We've both played defence and even though I haven't started the season with the Pulse we've both got good experience."
They face an equally challenge task on Monday night against in-form duo Catherine Latu and Maria Tutaia.
"Catherine is especially strong on the hold and is a big target and she's been playing really awesome," admitted Rasmussen. "Then there's Maria Tutaia who is just shooting from anywhere at the moment.
"In the mid-court there's Grace and Temepara George so there are threats everywhere."
Ngarama Milner-Olsen, the latest to don the centre bib after Camilla Lees and Daya Pritchard, looks likely to be charged with the task of keeping George quiet.
"She's very busy and very smart so I just need to make sure that I stick with her the whole game," the mid-courter said.
"I'm looking forward to it. It will be a bit different because she is quick and the same height. It's exciting to play against someone of that calibre."
The Pulse is determined to draw a line under a very poor opening half to the 2010 season which has seen it yet to record a win and slump to big losses against the Adelaide Thunderbirds and Southern Steel.
The cellar-dwellers showed some improvement in last weekend's 44-56 defeat to the Magic where they lost a tight first quarter, drew the second quarter, won the final quarter but stumbled badly in the third quarter which the Magic won 16-6.
Milner-Olsen admitted that turning over possession remained a concern.
"It has been costly because at this level you're always going to get punished. If we can decrease the turnovers we're going to be competitive and we proved that last week.
"Last week was definitely a step in the right direction. We had a little bit of a lull in the third quarter so that's something we're looking at improving on this week."