The 2024 G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi season is only entering week 3 and already the pressure is starting to build. The Southern Hoiho remain without a win, while the BNZ Northern Kāhu are 3-0 and aiming to remain unbeaten. Meanwhile, in the Sky Broadband Rapid League the ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens have been underwhelming and need a change in fortunes.
Across the league so many storylines are unfolding, and so many star players are emerging. From Tahlia Tupaea to Esra McGoldrick we are seeing the rise of talented Kiwis, and from Ashley Joens to Jordan Horston we are being treated to elite international talent.
As we head into another huge week of games, here's what to look for in R3.
Friday October 18 – ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens vs The Northern Group Tauranga Whai
Te Rauparaha Arena – 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
QUEENS: (PG) Florencia Chagas, (SG) Stella Beck, (SF) Jordan Horston, (PF) Lou Brown, (C) Tamari Key.
WHAI: (PG) Pahlyss Hokianga, (SG) Ashley Joens, (SF) Jade Kirisome, (PF) Laina Snyder, (C) Lara McSpadden.
What To Look For: The Queens will have benefitted from a full week at training, and in particular Jordan Horston who was barely off an international flight before stepping out last week on debut. Look for the Queens to be more in sync and committing less turnovers after 21 against the Kāhu. Who gets the defensive job on Ashley Joens will be critical for the home team - expect Stella Beck, while for the Whai it will be vital that young Pahlyss Hokianga can find a way to limit the impact of Florencia Chagas. Perhaps the biggest thing to look for will be in the paint where Lou Brown and Tamari Key will battle with Laina Snyder and Lara McSpadden.
Probable RAPID LEAGUE Line-Ups
QUEENS: Grace Hunter, Alana Paewai, Jacinta Beckley, Awatea Leach, Lauryn Hippolite, Tiarna Clarke.
WHAI: McKenna Dale, Eva Langton, Anika Hyland, Sophie Rogers, Emma Rogers, Kaylee Smiler, Laura Kuka.
What To Look For: The Queens have been incredibly underwhelming in Rapid League so far and a sharp turnaround is needed. Jacinta Beckley can hold her head high, but more is needed from others in what is a very guard-heavy Queens team. Lauryn Hippolite is yet to have an influence and will be keen to step it up against the Whai. The key to this game will likely be whether or not the young and speedy Whai land their big shots via what looks to be a far superior outside shooting team - especially McKenna Dale and for Queen Eva Langton.
Saturday October 19 – ProBuild ITM Mainland Pouākai vs BNZ Northern Kāhu
Cowles Stadium – Rapid 4:00pm / Tauihi 5:00pm
Television: Live on Sky Sport Select from 4:00pm (NZT), ESPN 3 (United States), FIBA You Tube (globally).
Tickets: HERE
Probable TAUIHI Starters
POUĀKAI: (PG) Mikhaela Cann, (SG) McKenzie Forbes, (SF) Haleigh Reinoehl, (PF) Esra McGoldrick, (C) Cassandra Brown.
KĀHU: (PG) Chloe Forster, (SG) Krystal Leger-Walker, (SF) Tahlia Tupaea, (PF) Iimar'I Thomas, (C) Penina Davidson.
What To Look For: A Pouākai team fresh off a win gets the chance to really test itself here against the 3-0 Kāhu and it feels like they are ready to embrace the challenge. Cassandra Brown and Penina Davidson lock horns in a tantalising match-up, but the big watch will be the clash between Esra McGoldrick and Iimar'I Thomas - if McGoldrick can use her length defensively and spread the floor with her long-range shooting offensively it will go a long way to helping the home team cause an upset. Also look for a great atmosphere with the Pouākai set to welcome a sell out.
Probable RAPID LEAGUE Line-Ups
HASWELL TIMBER POUĀKAI: Tessa Morrison, Tara Manumaleuga, Sharne Robati, Ashlee Strawbridge, Lauren Tewhata, Vitolia Tuilave, Maddy Timms.
KĀHU: Azure Anderson, Chevannah Paalvast, Elianna Tuaiti, Lilly Rotunno (FIBA Asia), Steph Bairstow (FIBA Asia), Bailey Flavell.
What To Look For: One of the best match-ups of the season (so far) will be Sharne Robati and Steph Bairstow - whoever gets on top is likely to lead their team to a win as both players have been the best performed across Rapid League in the opening two rounds. Also look for Bailey Flavell to continue her rise - a double-digit scoring opportunity awaits.
Sunday October 20 – Southern Hoiho vs The Northern Group Tauranga Whai
Edgar Centre – Rapid 2:00pm / Tauihi 3:00pm
Television: Live on Sky Sport 4 from 2:00pm (NZT), ESPN 3 (United States), FIBA You Tube (globally).
Tickets: HERE
Probable TAUIHI Starters
HOIHO: (PG) Paige Bradley, (SG) Ahlise Hurst, (SF) Natalie Chou, (PF) Zoe Richards, (C) Samantha Bowman.
WHAI: (PG) Pahlyss Hokianga, (SG) Ashley Joens, (SF) Jade Kirisome, (PF) Laina Snyder, (C) Lara McSpadden.
What To Look For: The Whai are on the double this round and the second game is always an interesting watch. Some teams love getting out on the road and spending time together, while others struggle with the additional demands of getting through airports and staying in hotels. Which Whai will we get in the deep south? Look for Paige Bradley and Ashley Joens to dominate this contest, while the return of Laina Snyder to her former Tauihi home will be talking point as well.
Probable RAPID LEAGUE Line-Ups
HOIHO: Millie Simpson, Tyler Mitchell, Samara Gallaher, Chelsea D'Angelo (FIBA Asia), Elise Gilbert, Aliyah Dunn, Abby Harris.
WHAI: McKenna Dale, Eva Langton, Anika Hyland, Sophie Rogers, Emma Rogers, Kaylee Smiler, Laura Kuka.
What To Look For: Watch for Chelsea D'Angelo to continue her Rapid League dominance (if she plays). Sounds a bit cryptic, but could we see Ahlise Hurst line-up for some Rapid minutes and D'Angelo pushed into Tauihi for a start? D'Angelo and Bradley have so far looked a better tandem in Tauihi - so the question is, who plays Rapid this week - D'Angelo or Hurst? Also look for the defensive set-up the Whai go with to try and contain the height of Aliyah Dunn.
