Australia and New Zealand Renew Their Fierce Basketball Rivalry
The stage has been set once again for one of Oceania’s most intense basketball matchups, as the Australian Boomers and the New Zealand Tall Blacks meet in a fresh round of FIBA World Cup Asia Qualifiers. This weekend’s games are being played in Hobart and Wellington, and the sense of rivalry has already been felt across both camps. Fans on both sides have been eagerly waiting for this moment, and now the excitement is spilling into the arenas.
It’s a classic trans-Tasman showdown, and the first game in Hobart tipped off on Friday, November 28, with a packed MyState Bank Arena. The atmosphere was electric, and the action was broadcast live on ESPN for anyone watching from home. The second game shifts across the water to New Zealand, where Wellington’s TSB Arena will host the rematch on Monday, December 1, at 5:00pm AEDT. Tickets for the Wellington clash have been made available through Ticketmaster, and demand has been rising steadily as fans prepare to fill the arena.
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Both teams are competing in Group A of the Asia Qualifiers, joined by the Philippines and Guam. Each team will play twice this weekend, and the results will set the tone heading into the next qualification windows in February and July. The overall goal is clear: finishing inside the top three of the group and advancing to the next stage. Across the entire Asia region, only eight teams—Qatar already included as host—will secure their place in the 2027 FIBA World Cup.
Australia enters the qualifiers with a refreshed squad, featuring talents like Alex Ducas, Jack White, Keanu Pinder, and Jaylin Galloway. Injuries have led to a few adjustments, with Owen Foxwell replaced by Ben Ayre, and Will Magnay’s spot filled by Pinder. Leading this group is Dean Vickerman, well-known from his time coaching Melbourne United, who steps in while Adam Caporn is unavailable.
On the New Zealand side, the Tall Blacks have brought a competitive lineup of their own, including Finn Delany, Yanni Wetzell, Flynn Cameron, and Mojave King. Injuries have also impacted their roster, with Shea Ili sidelined and Taine Murray stepping in. The Tall Blacks always bring a strong physical presence, and that edge has played a major part in past battles between these teams.
Every moment of this rivalry feels familiar, yet it always delivers something new. Whether it’s families watching on ESPN, fans following live stats, or others catching up through NBL’s social channels, the energy is being felt everywhere. And as the Boomers and Tall Blacks go head-to-head once again, the message is simple: qualification may be the mission, but pride is always on the line when Australia meets New Zealand.
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