New Zealand - Wellington to host twin internationals

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The Tall Blacks and Tall Ferns will have chances to clinch world championship berths on home hardwood, with the schedule for the 2009 Oceania Championships now confirmed.

The Tall Blacks will meet the world number nine and Beijing Olympics quarter-finalist Australia Boomers in a two-game series in late August while the Tall Ferns play the world number three and Beijing silver medalist Australia Opals in early September.

The nation's capital, Wellington, and the 4430-seat TSB Bank Arena will host game two of the men's championship on Tuesday, August 25, with the series opener on Sunday, August 23 in Australia.

Porirua's 2000-capacity Te Rauparaha Arena, which opened for business in November last year, will host its first basketball international in game two of the Ferns-Opals series on Saturday, September 5.

Australia's capital, Canberra, will host game one on Wednesday, September 2.

"It's great that strong, passionate basketball communities will get the chance to see our elite talent in action in two great venues," BBNZ chief executive Dale Stephens said.

"These are basketball communities that put a lot into the sport at all levels and to host the Tall Blacks and Tall Ferns at TSB Bank Arena and Te Rauparaha Arena is reward for that commitment."
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Wellington last hosted the Tall Blacks in two games - a win and loss - against Venezuela in July 2007 and in an Oceania Championship game in August 2001, a game one victory propelling the Tall Blacks to a historic 2-1 series win and onto the 2002 World Championships.

The Tall Blacks and Boomers met twice in 2008, with Australia sweeping the series with a 75-60 win at the North Shore Events Centre and 94-57 result in Melbourne.

"The Wellington area has produced two of the Tall Blacks five home wins over Australia, so hopefully the capital will be good for the boys again," BBNZ national teams general manager Grant Chapman said.

The Boomers could feature the likes of NBA big men Andrew Bogut and Nathan Jawai, NZ Breakers point guard CJ Bruton, rising talent Patrick Mills, along with European stars David Andersen and Brad Newley, and ANBL stars Mark Worthington and Chris Anstey.

The Tall Ferns and Opals met three times last year, twice in training camp scrimmages and once in competition. New Zealand celebrated a first-ever win over Australia 63-59 at the Good Luck Beijing Olympic Test Event in April, after two earlier defeats in Canberra.

The Oceania zone has two berths for the 2010 FIBA World Championship for Men in Turkey, so having already both qualified, the Tall Blacks and Boomers will be playing for seedings.

The Tall Ferns are not so fortunate, with Oceania holding just one berth for the 2010 FIBA World Championship for Women in the Czech Republic, they will need to beat the Opals to qualify.

The Opals could feature the likes of WNBA players Lauren Jackson and Tully Bevilaqua, European-based pros Penny Taylor and Suzy Batkovic, and WNBL players Krisiti Harrower and Rohanee Cox.

BBNZ will jointly host the games with the Wellington Saints organisation.

"The thing that really excites me is having both the men's and women's teams in Wellington playing against the powerhouse in Australia," Saints owner Nick Mills said.

"That's big in any sport in New Zealand, let alone basketball, and the city. To be able to see a player like Patty Mills is great, he's going to be a high pick in the NBA Draft later this year. I'm ecstatic about hosting these games."

2009 FIBA Oceania Championship for Men

New Zealand Tall Blacks vs Australia Boomers

Game One
Sunday, August 23
TBC

Game Two
Tuesday, August 25
TSB Bank Arena, Wellington

2009 FIBA Oceania Championship for Women

New Zealand Tall Ferns vs Australia Opals

Game One
Wednesday, September 2
Canberra

Game Two
Saturday, September 5
Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua