The MBO Tall Blacks’ Head Coach Paul Henare has named two young debutants in his shortened list of 12 for the World Cup Qualifier against Jordan, in Christchurch tomorrow night. Those two will step onto court with a line-up of reliable stalwarts and a hometown hero.
Kruz Perrott-Hunt and Tom Vodanovich have staked their claim and are one step closer to their childhood dream of playing for the Tall Blacks. They will sing the National Anthem in line with veterans the likes of Mika Vukona, Tom Abercrombie, Alex Pledger, Rob Loe and Jarrod Kenny.
Of the original squad of 14, Derone Raukawa and Tyrell Harrison will not suit up for this test. That said, Henare has hinted at the possibility of a team-rotation for the game against Syria.
“One of the advantages of playing at home is that we can carry extra bodies in the squad, but one of the disadvantages is having conversations with a couple of guys before each game that will be disappointing for them. So this time it’s Derone and Tyrell, but there’s every chance that they get to suit up on Sunday afternoon in Wellington.”
This has been a rapid rise in the ranks for Vodanovich and Perrott-Hunt. Vodanovich has come off a tremendous Sal’s NBL season, winning that title with the Southland Sharks. He has gone on to play for the SKYCITY Breakers this year and now fought his way into a black singlet. Kruz Perrott-Hunt surprised many with his inclusion into the squad last June and July. The 18-years-old Rosmini College student wasn’t named in the 12 during that FIBA window, but Henare has said this young man works as hard as anyone on the floor and has earned the honour this week.
“It’ll be a great night for Kruz Perrott-Hunt and Tom Vodanovich who will get to wear the black singlet for the first time. It’s a special occasion for anyone when you get to represent your country at a senior level,” said Coach Henare this evening.
With less than a 1000 tickets left, a likely sold out Horncastle Arena may be reserving their biggest cheers for local boy Ethan Rusbatch. The hometown hero is well-known to Canterbury Rams’ fans. The Cashmere High School alumnus has a bronze medal to his name, having featured in the Tall Blacks team that played at the Gold Coast this year. He also has experience against Jordan, having taken the court against them at the FIBA Asia Cup in 2017 where New Zealand won 98-70.
Team Jordan have acclimatised and appears to have shaken off the weariness of travel. Their newly naturalised player, American Justin Dentmon, was looking strong in their shoot around today, hitting consecutive threes behind the arc. This NBA G League pro is a straight-out shooter and will be a big concern for the Tall Blacks if he finds his range.
Also new to the team is Jordan’s Head Coach Joey Stiebing, having only been with the team for seven weeks. He says the team has prepared well. He’s added new systems to the Jordanian toolkit and says he believes his side can muster a performance to stun the Kiwis.
“We are playing a great team in the Tall Blacks, so it will be a great challenge for us. That little point guard [Shea] Ili really gets them going offensively and he pushes in transition. Abercrombie, I really like, he’s a good shooter. [Rob] Loe can really stretch the floor in the four and five spot. They’ve got a lot of weapons, they’re very deep and will be a big challenge for us. But I like where we are as a team. I think we are much better than when we first started. We still have a way to go, but hopefully we can be competitive and have a chance, maybe in the last five minutes, to win the game,” said Coach Stiebing after their practice today.
The Tall Blacks vs Jordan FIBA World Cup Qualifier will tip off at 7pm. Tickets at Ticketek.co.nz
MBO Tall Blacks roster to play Jordan. FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, Window Five Round Two:
• Tom Abercrombie. SKYCITY Breakers
• Shea Ili. Cigna Saints, SKYCITY Breakers
• Jarrod Kenny. Taylor Hawks, Cairns Taipans
• Rob Loe. Cairns Taipans
• Jordan Ngatai. Cigna Saints, SKYCITY Breakers
• Kruz Perrott-Hunt. Rosmini College, SKYCITY Breakers Development
• Alex Pledger. SIT Zerofees Southland Sharks, Melbourne United
• Ethan Rusbatch. Taylor Hawks
• Tohi Smith-Milner. Mike Pero Nelson Giants, Melbourne United
• Reuben Te Rangi. SIT Zerofees Southland Sharks, Brisbane Bullets
• Tom Vodanovich. SIT Zerofees Southland Sharks, SKYCITY Breakers Development
• Mika Vukona. Mike Pero Nelson Giants, Brisbane Bullets
Jordan team to face Tall Blacks in Christchurch:
• Zaid Abbas, Power Forward, 203cm
• Mah’d Abdeen, Point Guard, 190cm
• Amin Abu Hawwas, Shooting Guard, 188cm
• Yousef Abu Wazaneh, Power Forward, 201cm
• Mousa Alawadi, Shooting Guard, 187cm
• Ahmad Al-Hamarsheh, Small Forward, 197cm
• Justin Dentmon, Shooting Guard, 183cm
• Sinan Eid, Point Guard, 185cm
• Mohammad Hasoneh, Small Forward, 195cm
• Mohammad Hussein, Center, 208cm
• Malek Kanaan, Point Guard, 176cm
• Ahmad Obeid Power, Forward, 199cm
