Some big names are expected to return for R5 of the 2024 G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi with none bigger than Mikayla Cowling for the Whai. Cassandra Brown (back) could also return for the Pouākai, and Tamari Key (ankle) is a chance to line-up for the Queens.
The Kāhu are a scary proposition for every team, so it feels only right that R5 tips-off on Halloween with the northerners hosting a Whai team desperate to arrest a 4-game losing streak. Here's what to look for in R5.
Thursday October 31 – BNZ Northern Kāhu vs The Northern Group Tauranga Whai
Eventfinda Stadium – 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
KĀHU: (PG) Chloe Forster, (SG) Chevannah Paalvast, (SF) Tahlia Tupaea, (PF) Iimar'I Thomas, (C) Penina Davidson.
WHAI: (PG) Mikayla Cowling, (SG) Ashley Joens, (SF) Jade Kirisome, (PF) Laina Snyder, (C) Lara McSpadden.
What To Look For: She's back! Import Mikayla Cowling has been fully cleared to make her return and play for the first time this season, and in a surprise twist the 2023 All-Star has been named as the Whai's starting point guard. The move will send Pahlyss Hokianga back to the bench and into the Sky Broadband Rapid League. While there will be question marks on Cowling's fitness and durability following foot surgery and illness, if the Whai's plan moving forward this season is for her to play at the point then she could prove a huge handful for all opponents. The Whai come into this contest having lost their last four games, so the pressure is sky high. Look for Cowling to make a difference - how big that difference is ... we will soon see. And, worth a mention - it now seems likely we will see Tahlia Tupaea tangling up with someone in every game, and this time around it could be Laina Snyder who locks horns with the Kiwi star. Remember ... don't poke the bear.
Probable RAPID LEAGUE Line-Ups
KĀHU: Azure Anderson, Krystal Leger-Walker, Lilly Rotunno (FIBA Asia), Steph Bairstow (FIBA Asia), Tannika Leger-Walker, Bailey Flavell,
WHAI: McKenna Dale, Eva Langton, Pahlyss Hokianga, Sophie Rogers, Emma Rogers, Kaylee Smiler, Laura Kuka.
What To Look For: A good clash expected here between the top two Rapid League teams, with both sitting at 4-1 after five games each. The player to watch is Steph Bairstow, she is torching every opponent in Rapid League right now and unless the Whai can find a way to limit her influence then the home team will be very hard to stop. For the Whai, with Mikayla Cowling returning Pahlyss Hokianga slips back into the Rapid League and will be eager to bring with her the intensity she has been playing with at Tauihi level.
Saturday November 2 - The Northern Group Tauranga Whai vs Southern Hoiho
Taupo Events Centre – Rapid 4:00pm / Tauihi 5:00pm
Tickets: HERE
Television: Live on Sky Sport Select from 6:30pm (NZT), ESPN 3 (United States), FIBA You Tube (globally).
Probable TAUIHI Starters
WHAI: (PG) Mikayla Cowling, (SG) Ashley Joens, (SF) Jade Kirisome, (PF) Laina Snyder, (C) Lara McSpadden.
HOIHO: (PG) Paige Bradley, (SG) Chelsea D'Angelo, (SF) Natalie Chou, (PF) Zoe Richards, (C) Samantha Bowman.
What To Look For: So much can go right for the Whai in R5, but equally so much can go wrong. While the return of Mikayla Cowling is a big plus for the Whai, all eyes in R5 will be on how Cowling, Lara McSpadden, Ashley Joens and Laina Snyder co-exist, especially at the offensive end. The Hoiho have won their last two and will be super keen to put another win between them and the Whai is what promises to be a close match-up. Look for Paige Bradley to have a very big say in this game, while the battle between Aussie NBL1 teammates Samantha Bowman and Lara McSpadden will be bruising and fun to watch. Oh ... and let's not forget what Natalie Chou did to Ashley Joens back in R3. Game on!
Probable RAPID LEAGUE Line-Ups
WHAI: McKenna Dale, Eva Langton, Pahlyss Hokianga, Sophie Rogers, Emma Rogers, Kaylee Smiler, Laura Kuka.
HOIHO: Millie Simpson, Tyler Mitchell, Samara Gallaher, Ahlise Hurst (FIBA Asia), Elise Gilbert, Aliyah Dunn, Abby Harris.
What To Look For: If Ahlise Hurst gets another chance to play Rapid League this week look for her to lead from the front. A match-up here between Hurst and McKenna Dale would deliver plenty of highlights. The other close watch is Eva Langton - the lefty is in great form right now and might prove too tough for the Hoiho to contain.
Sunday November 3 – ProBuild ITM Mainland Pouākai vs ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens
Cowles Stadium – Rapid 2:00pm / Tauihi 3:00pm
Television: Live on Sky Sport 3 from 2:00pm (NZT), ESPN 3 (United States), FIBA You Tube (globally).
Tickets: HERE
Probable TAUIHI Starters
POUĀKAI: (PG) Mikhaela Cann, (SG) McKenzie Forbes, (SF) Sharne Robati, (PF) Haliegh Reinoehl, (C) Esra McGoldrick.
QUEENS: (PG) Florencia Chagas, (SG) Stella Beck, (SF) Jihyun Park, (PF) Jordan Horston, (C) Lou Brown.
What To Look For: the Pouākai are coming off a tough double in R4 which produced two losses and now they have the slick and talented Queens coming to pay them a visit. Both teams could be without their centre (Brown and Key) as they both work hard to return from injury. In terms of what to look for, there is a lot. Haliegh Reinoehl will likely get the tough task of trying to slow Jordan Horston, but who goes to Jihyun Park is the match-up to watch. Will it be Sharne Robati? Also look for Florencia Chagas to play a big role for the Queens, she looks to be growing more confident as she learns when, where and how to find Horston, Park and Lou Brown. Mikhaela Cann could have her hands full trying to stop the Argentinian.
Probable RAPID LEAGUE Line-Ups
HASWELL TIMBER POUĀKAI: Tessa Morrison, Tara Manumaleuga, Abby Cubillo (FIBA Asia), Ashlee Strawbridge, Lauren Tewhata, Vitolia Tuilave, Maddy Timms.
QUEENS: Grace Hunter, Alana Paewai, Jacinta Beckley, Awatea Leach, Lauryn Hippolite, Tiarna Clarke.
What To Look For: the bottom two Rapid League teams have an opportunity to gain some confidence here, especially the winless Queens. While the Queens looked far better last week against the Whai, they again failed to play all four quarters and were overrun down the stretch. With Jacinta Beckley expected back, a match-up with Ashlee Strawbridge could be the decisive battle. Also look for Lauryn Hippolite going up against her former team. However, the absolute must-watch here is Tiarna Clarke, who holds the record for the most made three-pointers in a Tauihi game (11) which came back in 2022 on this court. You've been warned.
