AUCKLAND (2015 FIBA Oceania Women's Championship) - New Zealand have added a home friendly series against Japan as part of their warm-ups for the FIBA Oceania Women's Championship.

The Tall Ferns, set to take on Australia in Melbourne on 15 August and then in Tauranga, New Zealand, two days later, need to win the Oceania Championship to clinch direct qualification for the Rio de Janeiro Games.

The Tall Ferns will go up against the Japanese on 5 August and 7 August at Cowles Stadium in Christchurch, and once more on 9 August at EA Stadium in Ashburton.

Before those games, Kennedy Kereama's squad will take part in the William Jones Cup in Chinese Taipei 27-31 July.

This [Japan] series gives us a great platform to finish our preparation before playing the Opals. - Kereama 

"The Japanese are fierce competitors and boost some of the best talent in Asia, including Asami Yoshida and Mamiya Yuka," Kereama said. "Both were named in the All-Star Five at the 2013 [FIBA] Asia [Women's] Championship.

"The Japanese play a unique and quick style of basketball, which will be a great test.

"Their quickness and ability to spread the floor with precision three-point shooting will give our transition and perimeter defense a real challenge."

Japan's top player at the 2013 FIBA Asia Women's Championship, Ramu Tokashiki, is playing in the WNBA with the Seattle Storm and would appear unlikely to feature since her team's last regular season game in 13 September.

But point guard Yoshida has recovered from the torn ACL that kept her out of the 2014 FIBA Women's World Championship and will serve as the Japanese captain.

Should New Zealand lose in the Oceania Championship, they would be invited to the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament (WOQT).

The Tall Ferns have their selection camp 16-19 July in South Auckland, where they will hold their preparation camp 20-26 July.

FIBA