Stars lose Elle Temu for Round 7 clash

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Stars will be without injured defender Elle Temu for tomorrow’s ANZ Premiership game against the Steel in Auckland.

Temu rolled her ankle 20 seconds into the Stars game against the Magic in Hamilton on Monday.

In the same game fellow defender Lisa Putt had to leave the court too after jarring her leg.

National netball league Comets defender Lili Tokaduadua and defensive/midcourt slide Khanye’-Lii Munro-Nonoa are being added to the squad for this weekend’s game against the Steel with Temu out.

Stars coach Kiri Wills said Putt was good to go but Temu needed another week to get over her ankle sprain.

The Stars are looking to get their season back on track after going from second on the ladder to fourth after two losses in their double header round last weekend.

First was a 58-44 loss to the Pulse in Auckland, before Monday’s 71-57 loss to the Magic.

Wills said losing Temu had an impact in the game against the Magic.

“We did really well to stay in there but when we needed ball back we just got a bit desperate and we lost our structure and we started going for things that we potentially hadn’t set up.

“So it’s staying in our structure making sure we stay connected when we’re under pressure and executing the basics.”

“Errors are going to happen but it’s what do we do next and how do we stay in the game and not kind of fold in on top of ourselves in those moments in time.”

Meanwhile, Mystics mid-courter Tayla Earle has been ruled out of round 7 of the ANZ Premiership after sustaining an injury to her right foot.

Earle is responding well to treatment and will continue to be monitored by the team’s medical staff as she follows the return to play procedure.

Former Mystics mid-courter Claire O’Brien will join the team as a replacement for the upcoming home game versus Te Wānanga o Raukawa Central Pulse tomorrow.