Each week Sky commentator Justin Nelson will take you through the probable starting line-ups and what to look for in every G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi game and every Sky Broadband Rapid League game, starting with this week's huge opening round clashes.
Here's what to look for this week ...
Friday October 4 – ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens vs Southern Hoiho
Te Rauparaha Arena – Rapid 6:30pm / Tauihi 7:30pm
Tickets: HERE
Television: Live on Sky Sport 2 from 6:30pm (NZT), ESPN 3 (United States), FIBA You Tube (globally).
Probable TAUIHI Starters
QUEENS: (PG) Florencia Chagas, (SG) Stella Beck, (SF) Jihyun Park, (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: Argentinian Florencia Chagas is a key returnee for the Queens and looks a more rounded player (now 23yo) than back in 2022, and her match-up with Hoiho's Paige Bradley is the key battle to look for in this season opener. Both teams have star quality, both internationals and locals, but keep an eye on the point guard battle because we are going to see arguably the best two in the competition locking horns first-up.
Probable RAPID LEAGUE Line-Ups
QUEENS: Keriana Hippolite, Lauryn Hippolite, Jacinta Beckley, Grace Hunter, Awatea Leach, Alana Paewai, Ash Taia.
HOIHO: Chelsea D'Angelo (FIBA Asia), Samara Gallaher, Aliyah Dunn, Abby Harris, Millie Simpson, Tyler Mitchell, Elise Gilbert.
What To Look For: Lots of quality Kiwis set to step out for the opening Rapid League game, along with some strong FIBA Asia players. The key watch here will be long-range shooters Jacinta Beckley (Queens) and Tyler Mitchell (Hoiho), both of whom can easily get hot from deep and drop a barrage of threes. In the Rapid league format, having a hot hand beyond the arc can go a long, long way.
Saturday October 5 – Tauranga Whai vs vs ProBuild ITM Mainland Pouākai
QEYC – Rapid 6:30pm / Tauihi 7:30pm
Television: Live on Sky Sport 2 from 6:30pm (NZT), ESPN 3 (United States), FIBA You Tube (globally).
Tickets: HERE
Probable TAUIHI Starters
WHAI: (PG) Morgan Yaeger, (SG) Ashley Joens, (SF) McKenna Dale, (PF) Laina Snyder, (C) Lara McSpadden.
POUĀKAI: (PG) Mikhaela Cann, (SG) McKenzie Forbes, (SF) Haleigh Reinoehl, (PF) Esra McGoldrick, (C) Cassandra Brown.
What To Look For: Will there be enough ball for Ashley Joens, McKenna Dale, Laina Snyder and Morgan Yaeger? The Whai are loaded for points, but this star-studded offensive team will need to co-exist. It's a good problem to have, but it may come with tension at times. And then throw Mikayla Cowling (foot) into the mix when she returns from injury. We'll get our first look at how coach Stojkovic uses his multi-pronged attack. The other watch first-up will be the Pouākai back court partnership of Mikhaela Cann and McKenzie Forbes, a combo that probably starts the season a bit under the radar, but this is a pair that could prove very dangerous once they click.
Probable RAPID LEAGUE Line-Ups
WHAI: Jade Kirrisome, Pahlyss Hokianga, Eva Langton, Anika Hyland, Sophie Rogers, Maka Daysh, Kaylee Smiler.
POUĀKAI: Tessa Morrison, Tara Manumaleuga, Sharne Robati, Ashlee Strawbridge, Lauren Tewhata, Vitolia Tuilave, Hana Lacey-Rameka.
What To Look For: The rise of young star Pahlyss Hokianga was one of last year's highlights, and she went on to make her Tall Ferns debut. At just 17-years-old, Hokianga is one of the youngest players in the competition, but she is a must-watch player. Expect her to jump out of the blocks in Rapid League and show us all just how much she has developed her game since last season.
Sunday Oct 6 – BNZ Northern Kāhu vs Southern Hoiho
Eventfinda Stadium – Rapid 2:00pm / Tauihi 3:00pm
Television: Live on Sky Sport 2 from 6:30pm (NZT), ESPN 3 (United States), FIBA You Tube (globally).
Tickets: HERE
Probable TAUIHI Starters
KĀHU: (PG) Chloe Forster, (SG) Talhia Tupaea, (SF) Megan Mullings, (PF) Iimar'i Thomas, (C) Penina Davidson.
HOIHO: (PG) Paige Bradley, (SG) Ahlise Hurst, (SF) Natalie Chou, (PF) Zoe Richards, (C) Samantha Bowman.
What To Look For: Finding the right balance for the Kāhu will be critical this season, and given they have three FIBA Asia players and two Americans, it might mean star Kiwi guard Krystal Leger-Walker comes off the bench and plays plenty of Rapid League. We'll get a good look at coach Jody Cameron's plans in this opening game for the 2023 champions.
Probable RAPID LEAGUE Line-Ups
KĀHU: Lily Rotunno (FIBA Asia), Steph Bairstow (FIBA Asia), Krystal Leger-Walker, Chevannah Paalvast, Azure Anderson, Mary Goulding, Bailey Flavell.
HOIHO: Samara Gallaher, Aliyah Dunn, Caitlin O'Connell, Millie Simpson, Tyler Mitchell, Elise Gilbert, Chelsea D'Angelo (FIBA Asia).
What To Look For: Mary Goulding's story is filled with love, happiness and admiration. After a car accident nearly took her life, the battle to get back on court has been well documented and is a story of triumph. Now, back in front of her Kiwi family and friends, we all get to see Goulding playing hoops back on home soil.
