AUS/NZL - Boomers won't change a thing against proud Tall Blacks

MELBOURNE (FIBA OCEANIA CHAMPIONSHIP) - Australia are very proud of their efforts in beating a relentless New Zealand team 2-0 in the FIBA Oceania Championship, but don't expect their players to take the foot off the pedal in game three on Sunday.
 
"I don't think they want to," coach Brett Brown said after game two's decisive final quarter, blowing out a 62-59 lead with 6:38 remaining to win by 17 points. "Unless someone comes to me and ask or someone is injured we aren't going to change anything."
 
Brown feels he has a full squad of 12 players who are more than up to the task. "I don't feel restricted at all subbing. We have depth, we've got toughness, I am happy to keep subbing and keep energy on the floor - I don't think we miss a beat."

After losing the 2009 FIBA Oceania Championship to New Zealand though, Brown knows that his team will have to play very well to complete a clean sweep. "I take my hat off to that program. Since I got the job we knew we had to beat New Zealand," he said.

"What they do on the world stage, they are very well organised, they are very well coached, they get the most out of their talent, they play hard. I have a lot of time for them."

The Tall Blacks will feel they have plenty to prove, especially stars Mika Vukona and Thomas Abercrombie who both fouled out in game two, playing just 29 minutes between them for a return of 5 points and 5 rebounds.

As a result, New Zealand had no scoring alternative when the Australian defence focused incredible attention on Kirk Penney, restricting him to 17 points on 2/10 shooting from the field and just six points in the second half.

New Zealand coach Nenad Vucinic knows his players are bleeding at the 2-0 series tally. "I know these guys well, they are competitors and they hate losing. They never give up," he said.

"I told the guys in the change room that it will be very difficult to coach and play game three, but in two days time we want to win."
 
The Tall Blacks will take great hope from the performance of young centre Alex Pledger, who scored nine points, blocked five shots and had an enthralling battle with Aleks Maric in game two. Point guards Lindsay Tait and Mark Dickel also held their own in the match-up with Patty Mills, Adam Gibson and Matthew Dellavedova.

On the other hand, the Boomers will again be looking to wear New Zealand down with their depth and score by committee, with eight players scoring between seven and 12 points in game two, led by Brad Newley.



FIBA