New Zealand Basketball is incredibly excited to welcome in the Trans-Tasman Throwdown series, which is set to re-ignite New Zealand’s longstanding rivalry with our Australian counterparts.
The Tall Blacks will go head-to-head with the Boomers, while the 2degrees Tall Ferns take on the Opals in three games across both countries.
The series will open up in Adelaide, May 7, before heading to Queensland for a match up on the Sunshine Coast, May 9, before all four teams fly across the ditch where the series comes to a conclusion in Kirikiriroa (Hamilton) on May 11.
The Trans-Tasman Throwdown is a fantastic opportunity for basketball fans across New Zealand and Australia to witness both their national sides live.
Hamilton’s double header marks an incredibly special occasion for both the 2degrees Tall Ferns and the Tall Blacks.
For the 2degrees Tall Ferns, they are greeted with the exciting prospect of their first home game since November 2019, where they hosted the Philippines, China and Korea in the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament at Trusts Arena.
2degrees Tall Ferns assistant coach, Leanne Walker, is thrilled to see a Tall Ferns home game back in New Zealand.
“Really exciting too that it’s in Kirikiriroa! I think the last time New Zealand played an international game here was in 2003 against Poland, so to come back to Hamilton and be playing against our arch rivals is going to be massive for us.”
Walker, knows all about the challenges of facing such a fierce rivals.
“New Zealand, Australia – always intense. Whatever code your playing. For the Tall Ferns specifically, they’re (the Opals) one of the best in the world and to give our girls the opportunity to go up against that is going to be huge for our programme.”
The excitement extends to the Tall Blacks, who will play the Boomers for the first time since 2021 in game one in Adelaide. The return leg in Hamilton will be the first time the Boomers have stepped foot on New Zealand shores in ten years.
Tall Black Head Coach, Judd Flavell cannot wait to get the Boomers back on Aotearoa’s whenua.
“We haven’t done this in a while. We are going back to what it used to be like many years ago with the old system of qualifications for World Cups and Olympics, so we’re getting the opportunity to re-live and re-establish that rivalry between New Zealand and Australia.”
Basketball New Zealand Chief Executive, Dillon Boucher, who knows all too well about this heated rivalry is excited to see its reinstalment.
“We are incredibly excited for the Trans-Tasman Throwdown. The rivalry between our two countries is unmatched, and these three games promise to be action packed. To be able to host the Tall Blacks and 2dgrees Tall Ferns at home, in front of a home crowd is huge for us.“
“The Tall Blacks have not played Australia in Aotearoa for nearly ten years, and the 2dgrees Tall Ferns have not played at home for over five. We cannot wait to host Australia in Kirikiriroa, Hamilton in what promises to be an incredible experience that fans will not want to miss!”
Basketball New Zealand is also very excited to partner with Sky Sport, who will broadcast all three double-headers to Kiwi hoops fans.
Head of Commercial and Fandom, Justin Nelson, is incredibly excited to see the Trans-Tasman Throwdown on Sky’s screens.
“Sky has the most comprehensive basketball coverage in New Zealand and we can’t wait to bring this year’s series against Australia to viewers. Sky will be covering all the games in Australia, and in Hamilton.
We want to make sure basketball fans across Aotearoa get a front row seat as the Tall Ferns and Tall Blacks go up against the Aussie Opals and Boomers.”
Joining Justin in the commentary team for the series will be broadcasting legend Andrew Mulligan, Tall Black centurion Casey Frank, former Auckland Dream guard Casyn Buchman and New Zealand Junior programme assistant coach Maia Williamson.
Tickets for the Trans-Tasman Throwdown are on sale NOW.
