The MBO Tall Blacks take to the floor in just over 24 hours in their opening pool game at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China, ready to leave all the hard work and years of planning on the floor against the much vaunted and world number 12 ranked Brazilian team.
While the current roster has been in camp and on the road since August 1st, the campaign has been a much longer one dating back to the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup, when Head Coach Paul Henare took a largely youthful and experimental team to Lebanon, with a view to building depth and experience for the upcoming World Cup tournament.
The current roster is a mix of those who were given their chance in Beirut, and the experienced players such as Tom Abercrombie, Rob Loe, Jarrod Kenny, Alex Pledger, Isaac Fotu and the Webster brothers Tai and Corey.
Corey Webster featured strongly for New Zealand in Spain four years ago. The guard has noticed an edge in camp these past couple of days.
“For sure, everyone is a bit excited now and ready to get these games started, we have had a good build up, played some tough games and grown together as a team, now it is business time, everyone is locking in over the next couple of days, we are ready to go.”
Webster knows from experience not to change things up too much ahead of the game tomorrow, tip off 8pm NZT.
“It is not too different; I focus on my scout and what I need to learn about the other team. I visualize what I want to do on the floor and how I want to play. Other than that, I just relax and don’t do anything different to a regular game. I enjoy myself as well, listen to good music that I like and hang out with the boys as well, but I think now a lot of the visualization starts and prepping for the game.”
Webster has no doubt that the spirit and culture around and within this team will help them in their quest to down a world leading team in Brazil, one that is stacked with considerable NBA, Euro League, Olympic Games and World Championship experience.
“I think the boys have known each other for a long time, so we all have strong relationships, that is an advantage for us, we don’t need to learn each other, we have done that in the past. Everyone has that relaxed side to them, which is Kiwi, but when it is time to lock in at our meetings and trainings we do, the boys are ready.”
It is also no surprise that Webster is backing himself and his team mates to play well in the big moments.
“This is one of the world’s biggest stages other than the Olympics. I was fortunate enough to play well at the last world’s and I want to do better than that. I am in the prime of my career now, I am injury free, I am fresh and ready to go. I am looking to have a big one, it is going to be good.”
Meanwhile Tai Webster is featuring at his second World Cup tournament and will play his 50th game for New Zealand against Brazil on Sunday.
All New Zealand games will be broadcast live on Maori Television, tipping off at 8pm on Sunday evening NZT.
2019 FIBA World Cup
Group F
Nanjing, China
MBO Tall Blacks v Brazil
Sunday 1st September
4pm tip off local time (8pm NZT)
Live coverage on Maori Television
Other group games throughout the tournament also broadcast on SKY Sport, check guides
MBO Tall Blacks, FIBA World Cup Roster
Guards: Shea Ili, Wellington Saints/Melbourne United; Jarrod Kenny, Bay Hawk’s/Cairns Taipans; Tai Webster, Galatasaray; Corey Webster, NZ Breakers; Ethan Rusbatch, Bay Hawks;
Small Forwards: Tom Abercrombie, Wellington Saints/NZ Breakers; Jordan Ngatai, Wellington Saints/NZ Breakers;
Power Forwards: Isaac Fotu, Universo Treviso; Finn Delany, Nelson Giants/NZ Breakers;
Centres: Alex Pledger, Southland Sharks/Melbourne United; Rob Loe, Wellington Saints/NZ Breakers; Tohi Smith-Milner, Melbourne United;
Head Coach: Paul Henare
Assistant Coach: Pero Cameron
Assistant Coach: Ross McMains
Physiotherapist: Anousith Bouaaphone
Massage Therapist: Shelley Moana-Hiha
Doctor: Hamish Osborne
Manager: Andrew Dewhurst
MORE INFORMATION:
FIBA World Cup official website: http://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2019
Tall Blacks news: https://nz.basketball/category/tall-blacks/
Tall Blacks schedule: https://nz.basketball/national-teams/tall-blacks/schedule/
Read more about Tū Kaha: https://nz.basketball/the-meaning-of-tu-kaha-and-the-tall-blacks-culture/
Follow the Tall Blacks’ social media channels: @TallBlacks Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. Hashtags: #TuKaha #TallBlacks #FIBAWC
