Tall Blacks may go without star duo

Reuben Te Rangi’s form explosion with the Brisbane Bullets could prove timely for the Tall Blacks as they look set to enter the next Fiba World Cup qualifying window without either of their Europe-based stars.

Tall Blacks coach Paul Henare, now working as an assistant in the Australian NBL with Melbourne United, confirmed to Stuff that he was leaning towards playing their next two games, both at home, without both Tai Webster and Isaac Fotu because of the gruelling travel demands that would be required.

Webster is playing his hoops for Galatasaray in Turkey and Fotu for Ulm in Germany and though both have continued to pledge their availability, Henare admits he has reservations about asking two loyal Tall Blacks to undertake yet another massive haul back mid-season.

The Tall Blacks host Jordan in Christchurch on November 29 and Syria in Wellington on December 2 – both winnable games with Australasia-based players.

The New Zealanders have a firm grip on a top qualifying spot for next year’s World Cup in China with a group-best 7-1 record. Jordan sit fourth in the standings on 5-3 with Syria bringing up the rear on 2-6.

‘‘Everyone has put their hands up [to play], but one thing we’re really conscious of is Tai and Ike are on the other side of the world, and the taxing physical element of that travel,’’ said Henare. ‘‘We’ve really got to weigh up what’s best for them in this one.

‘‘Is it the best thing to bring them over economy class from the other side of the world? The answer to that is probably no. If not we know we’ll be able put a competitive team together.’’

Henare would still be able to call on an experienced group out of the Australian NBL, including Corey Webster, Tom Abercrombie, Finn Delany and Shea Ili from the Breakers, Te Rangi and Mika Vukona in Brisbane, Rob Loe and Jarrod Kenny in Cairns and Alex Pledger in Melbourne.

Te Rangi, in particular, has been producing the sort of form for Andrej Lemanis’ surprise packet Bullets that might be encouraging Henare he can use his versatile swingman to mop up a lot of the minutes available if Webster and Fotu stayed away.

Te Rangi posted a career-best 29 points in Brisbane’s 108-98 victory over the Adelaide 36ers last Thursday, going 9 of 17 from the floor and 6 of 9 from beyond the 3-point line.