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Posted on Monday, December 2nd, 2024

Tauihi Think Tank R9

The Northern Group Tauranga Whai

If you THINK the Whai are looking forward to the finals THEN you only need look at the confidence and free-flowing joy they are currently playing with. There is no such thing as a red light in the Whai's offence ... it is all green, green, green. After taking down the Kāhu and Queens in successive games, the Whai are fully healthy and showing all the signs of a team on the verge of claiming a maidan championship. Exciting times in Tauranga!

ANZCO Tokomanawa Queens

If you THINK the Queens are in need of an early Christmas gift THEN it will no doubt come in the form of a large parcel filled with fitness and health. On a three-game losing streak and almost certainly out of the picture for a home semi-final, the Queens have injury concerns on a number of fronts. The good news is ... anything can happen in finals and some Christmas cheer might be just around the corner.

ProBuild ITM Mainland Pouākai

If you THINK the Pouākai are looking for a secret weapon ahead of the Final 4 THEN look no further than Sharne Robati. The Kiwi hybrid guard-forward is arguably this season's leading sixth player and has become an unstoppable force late in games in the minutes she's called upon to play. The Robati factor is real, and if Sharne and her team can rise up and beat the Queens this week, they will lock in a home semi-final.

BNZ Northern Kāhu

If you THINK the Kāhu are eyeing back-to-back championships THEN there is no better way to start than by locking in a home semi-final. The 2024 title favourite 'could' get the Queens two weeks running if they can beat their arch-rival this Sunday in R10, which is also the very last game of the regular season ... and based on the current form of both the Whai and Pouākai, a SF clash with the Queens is likely to be exactly what the Kāhu would prefer.

Southern Hoiho

If you THINK the Hoiho have little to play for after a R9 loss to the Kāhu ended the southerners' finals aspirations THEN you might want to close your eyes if you support the Whai. A R10 clash in Dunedin between the Hoiho and Whai comes with a myriad of possibilities and Final 4 implications (for the Whai). Regardless of the result, the Hoiho will finish fifth, but they could play the spoiler before they head off for a break.