Four of five teams are still alive for a top-two seed and the home court advantage that comes with it. With records this tight, points percentage will decide seeding, and that percentage comes from total points scored divided by total points conceded across Tauihi and Rapid League games so every single bucket that gets scored could be the one that gives your team home court advantage.
Edgar Centre, Dunedin
Rapid 6:00pm, Tauihi 7:00pm
Live on Sky Sport 2
Tickets here
Hoiho: The Hoiho hosted the Queens in Dunedin and found themselves down early, but a relentless transition attack and lockdown defense in the fourth quarter (where they allowed just 8 points) allowed them to seal the 75-68 victory on their home court and stay in the race for home court in the finals. Rebecca Pizzey logged 11 points and 11 rebounds. Paige Bradley flirted with a triple-double with 8 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists and both Jessie Edwards and Claire Jacobs dropped 20 a piece to power the win.
Pouākai: Down a couple of starters the Pouākai found themselves down early to the Whai, but a3rd quarter 26 point explosion grabbed a lead that they wouldn't relinquish despite things getting tight down the stretch to take a 68-63 win. McKenna Dale led the way as she posted 21 points and a career-high 15 rebounds which helped her side strangle the glass, where they held a 57 to 43 advantage on rebounds to control possession and keep in the mix for a top two seed.
Projected Tauihi starters
Hoiho: PG Paige Bradley, SG Claire Jacobs, SF Taylah Simmons, PF Rebecca Pizzey, C Jessie EdwardsPouākai: PG Morgan Yaeger, SG Taylor Mikesell, F Bree Hall, F McKenna Dale, C Charlotte Whittaker
Glass battle: No Esra McGoldrick, Abi Fogg or Marena Whittle leaving Dale and Charlotte Whittaker and a youth movement up front vs Jessie Edwards and Pizzey to vie for rebounds. The Pouākai must limit second-chance points despite being down on numbers.
Tempo and turnovers: Bradley’s pace control vs Morgan Yaeger's exploratory penetration will be key. Both teams will be in overdrive but which squad can put the pedal to the metal and maintain possession will have the advantage
Hoiho Milestone : Bradley needs 9 points for 500 career.
Projected Rapid starters
Hoiho: Tia Pavihi, Samara Gallaher, Lil Dart, Eva Langton, Zoe Richards
Pouākai: Olivia O’Neill, Hana Lacey-Rameka, Ava Jones, Emilia Ainley, Ruby Cutbush
Form: Queens have clinched the Rapid title, so Pouākai and Hoiho chase points percentage and a chance to claim second on the ladder, but the Pouākai have dropped five on the trot so need to rediscover their early season form.
X-factor: Teen forward Emilia Ainley set a Pouākai Rapid rebound record with 9 last week as she looks to continue her hot form with extended opportunities this week
Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland
Rapid 6:30pm, Tauihi 7:30pm
Live on Sky Sport 3
Tickets here
Kāhu: Losing streak now 9 this season and 11 overall after falling to the Queens on the road as giving up 31 first quarter points put the team in a hole they couldn't dig out of as they fell 84-59. Abi Curtin and Erin Bollman were the only double figure scorers but there were other brights spots was the Azure Anderson pulled a Tauihi career-high 7 rebounds. Looking forward star guard Tahlia Tupaea is 14 points from 600 career.
Whai: The Whai powered to the lead against a short handed Pouākai squad on their home court, but when Laina Snyder went down with injury the squad lost its way, eventually succumbing 68-63. Three players hit double figures, highlighted by Sophia Locandro (10 points, 4 blocks) and Jade Kirisome (season highs 8 points, 7 rebounds) who lifted the play of the bench. Laina Snyder needs 5 rebounds for 300 career so the Whai faithful will be keeping an eye on her availability.
Projected Tauihi starters
Kāhu: PG Tahlia Tupaea, G Amy Jacobs, F Haleigh Reinoehl, F Abigail Curtin, PG Lauren Mansfield
Whai: PG Jessica McDowell-White, W Mikayla Cowling, W Emme Shearer, PF Laina Snyder, C Hannah Hank
Guard creation: Tahlia Tupaea and Lauren Mansfield vs Jess McDowell-White and Emme Shearer will be a matchup to watch. Mansfield has been more aggressive with her own offense of late while Tupaea has been looking to facilitate. Can the Kāhu find form against the Shearer McDowell-White backcourt that offers a perfect blend of scoring and playmaking?
Paint touches: Haleigh Reinoehl and Abi Curtin must finish with efficiency and keep Whai off the offensive glass. A tough task against Hannah Hank, Snyder and Mikayla Cowling who have been relentless in the paint all season long.
Milestones of note: Snyder chasing 300 boards, Cowling 19 points from 500 career.
Projected Rapid starters
Kāhu: Azure Anderson, Emma Schroeder, Vitolia Tuilave, Mary Morton-Jones, Keeley Tini
Whai: Sophia Locandro, Sophie Rogers, Jade Kirisome, Graecyn Parahi, Laura Kuka
Scoring hiccup: After two straight wins the Kāhu lost their way last time out, scoring just 14 points as they failed to find any rhythm on offense. but the last time they played the Whai they dropped a season high 39 in an overtime loss. Can they find that scoring prowess once again or will the lack of firepower sink their chances again.
Whai spark: The last time theses teams met the Whai dropped a season high 42 points as Locandro hit for 15 on her own. Coming off their second biggest win of the year the team will like its chances but a loss here could doom their chances of a top two finish.
Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua
Rapid 2:00pm, Tauihi 3:00pm
Live on Sky Sport 9 and livestreamed on Sky Sport NZ TikTok
Tickets here
Queens: The Queens took the court down south in their second game of the weekend and looked to be in control of the game as they entered the 4th quarter up four points, but the offense faltered down the stretch allowing the Hoiho to scoop a 75-68 victory Lou Brown grabbed a double-double and Penina Davidson was a board short as Stella Beck led the way with 19p, but without star guard Kristy Wallace the flow was tough to find down the stretch.
Whai: They played the last game of round 8 where the Whai stumbled in the third quarter and eventually went down to the Pouākai 68-63, but will be playing their second game of the round after playing Friday Night in Auckland.
Projected Tauihi starters
Queens: PG Kristy Wallace, W Stella Beck, F Jihyun Park, PF Penina Davidson, C Lou Brown
Whai: PG Jessica McDowell-White, W Mikayla Cowling, W Emme Shearer, PF Laina Snyder, C Hannah Hank
Front-court war: Davidson and Brown vs Snyder and Hank. These could be the premiere front lines in the competition and each units board work will be decisive. The Queens duo enjoy the power game while looking to back down defenders but the Whai counter with rim runs in transition and prefer to turn and face on the post catch. Which style dominates most likely takes the dub.
Back-court management: Kristy Wallace combo of scoring and table-setting faces up against McDowell-White’s pace, vision and three-point range. This pair of pg's will have their fingerprints all over the gameplay of both squads.
Finals Watch: Every possession matters with seeding on the line, if the Whai grab the win (and the win against the Kāhu on Friday) they will just about have top seed wrapped up, but the Queens will be on their game with the knowledge if it comes down to points percentage they have the upper hand.
Projected Rapid starters
Queens: Keriana-Marie Hippolite, Pahlyss Hokianga, Paige Burrows, Josie Trousdell, Briarley Rogers
Whai: Sophia Locandro, Sophie Rogers, Jade Kirisome, Graecyn Parahi, Laura Kuka
Champions at home: Queens have secured the 2025 Rapid crown but will be looking to stamp their mark on a storied season with another big win. Can they keep up the defensive efforts that have been dominant of late?
Key matchups: Briarley Rogers has been an offensive force while Keriana Hippolite has imposed her all around game on opponents of late. Can Jade Kirisome's speed and scoring prowess combine with the interior power of Sophia Locandro on the block to give the Whai the upper hand?
| Position | Team | GP | W | L | %won | For | Agst | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Whai | 9 | 6 | 3 | 66 | 1050 | 1010 | 103 |
| 2 |  |
Tokomanawa Queens | 10 | 6 | 4 | 60 | 1193 | 1079 | 110 |
| 3 |  |
Mainland Pouākai | 10 | 6 | 4 | 60 | 1206 | 1154 | 104 |
| 4 |  |
Southern Hoiho | 10 | 6 | 4 | 60 | 1152 | 1153 | 99 |
| 5 |  |
Northern Kāhu | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 896 | 1101 | 81 |
Points percentage rules this week. Tauihi and Rapid results both count, so margins matter as much as wins. Expect late-game fouls and quick-two decisions to protect or chase percentage.
