Here we go ... R7 of the 2024 G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi and Sky Broadband Rapid League is upon us as the race to the Final 4 heats up. This week features another tantalising showdown between the Kāhu and Queens, a chance for the Pouākai to get a win back on the Whai, and a rematch between the Hoiho and Queens after last week's 1-point thriller between the two teams.
Thursday November 14 – BNZ Northern Kāhu vs ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens
Eventfinda Stadium – Rapid 6:30pm / Tauihi 7:30pm
Television: Live on Sky Sport 4 from 6:30pm (NZT), ESPN 3 (United States), FIBA You Tube (globally).
Tickets: HERE
Probable TAUIHI Starters
KĀHU: (PG) Chloe Forster, (SG) Chevannah Paalvast, (SF) Tahlia Tupaea, (PF) Iimar'I Thomas, (C) Penina Davidson.
QUEENS: (PG) Florencia Chagas, (SG) Stella Beck, (SF) Jordan Horston, (PF) Lou Brown, (C) Tamari Key.
What To Look For: The Kāhu and Queens never disappoint. Just 3-points separated them earlier in the season, and another close battle looms here. Look for Jordan Horston and whether or not she returns from a back injury that kept her out last week - if she plays the job of limiting her influence will likely fall to Chevannah Paalvast. The Chagas-Forster match-up will be another to watch, while there is every chance whoever comes out on top of Iimar'I Thomas and Lou Brown will have a big say on which team wins the game. Overall, a key watch will be on the Queens shooting from long range - they struggled last week against the Hoiho and need to make 3-point shooting a strength if they are to go all the way this season. Can they land their threes here?
Probable RAPID LEAGUE Line-Ups
KĀHU: Azure Anderson, Krystal Leger-Walker, Lilly Rotunno (FIBA Asia), Steph Bairstow (FIBA Asia), Eliana Tuaiti, Mary Goulding.
QUEENS: Grace Hunter, Jihyun Park (FIBA Asia), Jacinta Beckley, Awatea Leach, Lauryn Hippolite, Tiarna Clarke, Keriana Hippolite.
What To Look For: Look for the Queens and whether or not they can win two games in a row. After finally getting their first Rapid League win of the season, the Queens will carry some confidence into this game against the top team in the shortened competition. The big match-up will be between Steph Bairstow and Jacinta Beckley - two players on the path to making this year's RL All Star 5.
Friday November 15 - ProBuild ITM Mainland Pouākai vs The Northern Group Tauranga Whai
Cowles Stadium – Rapid 6:30pm / Tauihi 7:30pm
Tickets: HERE
Television: Live on Sky Sport 3 from 6:30pm (NZT), ESPN 3 (United States), FIBA You Tube (globally).
Probable TAUIHI Starters
POUĀKAI: (PG) Mikhaela Cann, (SG) McKenzie Forbes, (SF) Haliegh Reinoehl, (PF) Esra McGoldrick, (C) Cassandra Brown.
WHAI: (PG) Mikayla Cowling, (SG) Ashley Joens, (SF) McKenna Dale, (PF) Laina Snyder, (C) Lara McSpadden.
What To Look For: Pouākai have taken down the Kāhu (twice) and the Queens this season, but for some reason they have a mountain of problems containing the Whai. Last round the Whai breezed past the Pouākai (91-71). Watch for a huge defensive focus from the Pouākai - they can't get into an offensive showdown because they don't have the firepower to go with the Whai, so it's all about the effort defensively here.
Probable RAPID LEAGUE Line-Ups
HALSWELL TIMBER POUĀKAI: Tessa Morrison, Tara Manumaleuga, Abby Cubillo (FIBA Asia), Sharne Robati, Lauren Tewhata, Vitolia Tuilave, Maddy Timms.
WHAI: Jade Kirisome, Eva Langton, Pahlyss Hokianga, Sophie Rogers, Emma Rogers, Kaylee Smiler, Laura Kuka.
What To Look For: Look for Sharne Robati and Eva Langton - both are dominating this competition and they loom as a game-winner here.
Sunday November 17 – ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens vs Southern Hoiho
TSB Arena – Rapid 2:00pm / Tauihi 3:00pm
Television: Live on Sky Sport 2 from 2:00pm (NZT), ESPN 3 (United States), FIBA You Tube (globally).
Tickets: HERE
Probable TAUIHI Starters
QUEENS: (PG) Florencia Chagas, (SG) Stella Beck, (SF) Jordan Horston, (PF) Lou Brown, (C) Tamari Key.
HOIHO: (PG) Paige Bradley, (SG) Ahlise Hurst, (SF) Natalie Chou, (PF) Zoe Richards, (C) Samantha Bowman.
What To Look For: The Queens edged past the Hoiho 82-81 in a thriller last week, but it's worth highlighting that the Queens were missing Jordan Horston, who is expected back for this game. Look for Lou Brown to again be central to the Queens efforts here - her two games against the Hoiho so far this season have been her best. As expected, Ahlise Hurst finally found some form against the Queens last week - the team she always plays well against - and her team will need her firing on all cylinders again this week.
Probable RAPID LEAGUE Line-Ups
QUEENS: Jihyun Park (FIBA Asia), Grace Hunter, Alana Paewai, Jacinta Beckley, Awatea Leach, Lauryn Hippolite, Tiarna Clarke, Keriana Hippolite.
HOIHO: Millie Simpson, Tyler Mitchell, Caitlin O'Connell, Chelsea D'Angelo (FIBA Asia), Elise Gilbert, Aliyah Dunn, Abby Harris.
What To Look For: Will Jihyun Park step out for the Queens? If she does, the Korean star will most definitely be a handful to contain. The Queens finally grabbed a RL win against the Hoiho, so they will feel confident going in. Aliyah Dunn (a former Queen) has had a really good RL season and will be a focal point for the Hoiho - if she can muster up close to a double-double then the Hoiho will come out on top.
