Cowles Stadium, Christchurch
Rapid League 6:30pm, Tauihi 7:30pm
Television: Rapid League live on Sky Sport Select from 6:30pm (NZT) followed by Tauihi. Tauihi from 7:30pm (NZT) live internationally on ESPN3 (United States), FIBA YouTube (globally)
POUĀKAI: PG Taylor Mikesell, SG Morgan Yaeger, W Marena Whittle, PF McKenna Dale, C Abigail Fogg
WHAI: PG Jessica McDowell-White, SG Mikayla Cowling, W Emme Shearer, PF Laina Snyder, C Hannah Hank
Last Time Out
The Pouākai traveled to the capital looking to take decisive control of the league with a 3-1 start, but the Queens had other ideas as the home team locked down defensively to hold the Mainlanders to 31% shooting from the field while forcing 17 turnovers. Whittle, Mikesell and Fogg hit double figures for the Pouākai, but only Fogg did so efficiently as the Queens imposed their will on the block to find easy buckets and win the rebounding battle (+7) to take a decisive 81-69 win.
The Whai welcomed the Southern Hoiho to the QEYC, but that was where the hospitality stopped, as the home team locked down defensively holding the Hoiho to 35% shooting from the field and 26% from deep. The lack of a three point attack allowed the Whai to double up the Hoiho in the 2nd term (28-14), crushing any hopes the visitors had to take the win. Hank and Snyder were impressive on the interior, collecting double-doubles, with 4 out of 5 starters hit double figures as the Whai claimed their first win of the year 89-74,
Possession game: Pouākai’s board work has been a weapon. Whai need Snyder and Hank to neutralise second chances and do a bit of damage of their own on the other end.
Arc gravity battle: Mikesell and Whittle off movement vs Cowling and Shearer with shot creation. Whoever bends help most should dictate pace while unbalancing the court to open up offensive rebounding chances for their squad.
Middle-eight minutes: Bench segments around quarter breaks will be key for two teams how have yet to lean on their benches. With Tall Ferns McGoldrick and Whittaker joined by up and coming Emma Rogers the Pouākai seem to have the advantage, but Locandro and Kirisome can both impact the game off the pine for the Whai.
POUĀKAI: Olivia O’Neill, Emma Rogers, Kavanah Lene, Ava Jones, Charlotte Whittaker
WHAI: Storey Sadler, Jade Kirisome, Sophie Rogers, Graecyn Parahi, Sophia Locandro
Turnovers to run-outs: Whai pace vs Pouākai size and shot-blocking from McGoldrick and Whittaker (if the lineups stay the same) will give a size and experience advantage to the Pouākai.
Corner threes vs paint touches: Can Whai guards find the corners before Pouākai length arrives, or do Mainland pound inside and the offensive glass against a team with limited tall timber on hand to respond with?
Edgar Centre, Dunedin
Rapid League 2:00pm, Tauihi 3:00pm
Television: Rapid League live on Sky Sport 4 from 2:00pm (NZT) followed by Tauihi. Tauihi live from 3:00pm (NZT) internationally on ESPN3 (United States), FIBA YouTube (globally)
HOIHO: PG Paige Bradley, SG Claire Jacobs, W Taylah Simmons, PF Zoe Richards, C Jessie Edwards
QUEENS: PG Kristy Wallace, SG Riley Lupfer, SF Jihyun Park, PF Lou Brown, C Penina Davidson
Last Time Out
The Hoiho switched up the starting lineup (bringing in Richards for Pizzey) and found immediate dividends as they jumped out to a lead against the Kāhu, holding a 7 point advantage at halftime. The size of the Hoiho wore down a smaller Kāhu side, as Edwards played her best game of the year pulling down a double double with Simmons and Pizzey impacting the interior play as well. Tahlia Tupaea foul trouble helped the visitors outscore the hosts by 16 in the third, effectively putting the game out of reach to give the Hoiho their first win of the season 96-69.
The Queens stood tall in front of their home fans, turning away a determined Pouākai side that came to Wellington intent on seizing early control of the league. The Queens’ defensive intensity set the tone, stifling the visitors to just 31% shooting and forcing 17 turnovers. While Whittle, Mikesell, and Fogg reached double figures for the Pouākai, the hosts dominated the paint, converting inside opportunities and owning the glass with a +7 rebounding edge. Behind that balanced, disciplined effort, the Queens powered to a convincing 81–69 victory.
Glass vs spacing: Edwards and Simmons must finish possessions on the block while the Queens punish help with Wallace, Cole and Lupfer shooting from the perimeter.
Point-of-attack defense: Can Hoiho chase Lupfer and Cole off clean looks while keeping Wallace out of the lane? Can the Queens keep Bradley from orchestrating the show while Jacobs sets up for perimeter looks off the catch and shoot?
Paint touches: If Davidson and Brown get single coverage the Queens high-will need to score efficiently, but if the Hoiho have to send help that opens the court for skips to superior perimeter shooting.
HOIHO: Alana Paewai, Sammy Gallaher, Lil Dart, Eva Langton, Bec Pizzey
QUEENS: Keriana Hippolite, Briarly Rogers, Stella Beck, Nahala Toeleiu, Josephine Trousdell
Switchability check: Beck and Trousdell can guard up and down. Can Hoiho keep the ball in front and still win the glass?
Live-ball steals: Queens guards hunt deflections making Hoiho ball security a key in deciding pace of play.
Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland
Rapid League 2:00pm, Tauihi 3:00pm
Television: Rapid League live on Sky Sport 4 from 2:00pm (NZT) followed by Tauihi. Tauihi live internationally on ESPN3 (United States), FIBA YouTube (globally). Livestreamed on Sky Sport NZ TikTok on regular-season Sundays
KĀHU: PG Lauren Mansfield, G Tahlia Tupaea, G Aliyah Matharu, W Jasmyne Roberts, F/C Haleigh Reinoehl
WHAI:PG Jessica McDowell-White, SG Mikayla Cowling, W Emme Shearer, PF Laina Snyder, C Hannah Hank
Last Time Out
The Kāhu hosted the Hoiho but early foul trouble plagued their scorers keeping the offense from finding any rhythm. This allowed the Hoiho to dictate pace and focus on their interior size advantage as the visitors imposed their will on the glass, grabbing a 63-34 advantage. The Kāhu found better form offensively down the stretch as Matharu and Reinoehl kept the scoreboard ticking, but the damage done in a 24-8 third quarter put the result of this one beyond any doubts early, with the Hoiho taking the 96-69 win.
The Whai took down the Southern Hoiho in round 2 with a dominant defensive performance as home side limited their opponents to just 35% shooting overall and 26% from long range, cutting off any rhythm from beyond the arc. That defensive pressure turned into momentum in the second quarter, where the Whai doubled up the Hoiho 28–14 to seize full control. Interior dominance from Hank and Snyder — both registering double-doubles — set the tone, while four of five starters reached double figures as Tauranga powered to their first victory of the campaign, 89–74. But they will have taken on the Pouākai in their first game of a weekend double header in R3.
Tempo vs control: Kāhu dynamic guard group wants pace but the Whai will try to get out in the lanes as well. Who will win the glass battle and flow into early offense without turnovers will determine which team's pace is imposed.
Matchup chess: Who takes Tupaea - Shearer’s length or Cowling’s strength and how do Kāhu handle Snyder and Hank up front early will tip the strategy of the coaching staffs.
Foul discipline: Early whistles could flip the possession game and take key offensive pieces out of their rhythm. Will it be the Kāhu speed or the Whai strength that gets the upper hand?
KĀHU: Azure Anderson, Emma-Kaye Schoeder, Mary Morton-Jones, Keeley Tini, Vitolia Tuilave
WHAI: Storey Sadler, Jade Kirisome, Sophie Rogers, Graecyn Parahi, Sophia Locandro
Corner threes: Kāhu need early rhythm from Anderson and Shoeder. Whai will test the defense with pace and kick-outs.
Energy minutes on the boards: Tini and Tuilave vs Locandro and Parahi likely decides extra shots.
