New Zealand do not intend on being stopped in crucial window, Te Rangi says
BRISBANE (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - New Zealand split their first two games in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers. But Reuben Te Rangi said the Tall Blacks face their two most important games in the first stage in the February window. And the small forward said New Zealand do not intend on being stopped.
After losing at home to Korea and beating Hong Kong on the road in November, New Zealand travel to China on February 23 and then seek revenge against Korea in their place on February 26.
"These are probably our biggest games of this round: the two away games against the two best teams in our pool at the moment," said Te Rangi, who averaged 12.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals in the first two games. "We are planning on two wins in this window though and don't plan on letting anyone stop us."
"These are probably our biggest games of this round: the two away games against the two best teams in our pool at the moment. We are planning on two wins in this window though and don't plan on letting anyone stop us.Reuben Te Rangi
The 23-year-old Te Rangi is spending his fourth campaign with the New Zealand senior national team following the 2013 and 2015 Oceania Championships and the FIBA Asia Cup 2017. And he knows facing the 2019 World Cup hosts in China will be a major challenge.
"China are always tough on their home floor. They have some great players and are a well-oiled team that runs their sets pretty well," said Te Rangi, who plays his club basketball at Australian side Brisbane Bullets. "There are some tough match ups, but this is a game we enjoy playing."
The crowd will be something the Tall Blacks need to overcome to succeed, the Otahuhu native added.
"In China their fans will get in behind their team. Basketball is probably the biggest sport in China, so I know they will have great support and we will have to play through that pressure and noise. But I know we are good enough to come out on top," he said.
After the China game, Te Rangi and co finally get a chance to avenge their loss in the first Qualifier in Wellington.
"Korea have beaten us a couple of times, at the FIBA Asia Cup 2017 and then in Wellington. They are another good team, a different beast to China, so we will have to switch it up and make some changes after the game against China," Te Rangi said. "Korea threw a few funky things at us that we haven't seen before and caught us off guard a little, but this time we will be more prepared for what should be another good game."
All in all, Te Rangi expects New Zealand to be standing tall after the February window.
"This window is important for us. We have to push to get two wins if we can. Both will be tough though," he admitted. "We have to come out with a little more effort after losing in a close one to Korea. We have to be as good as we can be and play as hard as we can and bring strong Tall Blacks basketball to both games."
FIBA