Rare win over Australia for NZ

BRISBANE: The Tall Blacks have notched their first win over Australia in 11 years, prevailing 10898 in an Asia Cup qualifier in Brisbane on Thursday night.

The visiting side took advantage of a depleted Boomers side that blooded five new caps and was missing not only its overseasbased players, but also any player set to feature in next week’s ANBL finals.

Not since August 2009 had the Tall Blacks beaten the Boomers, when current captain Mika Vukona topscored against an Australian outfit featuring a young Joe Ingles.

But they controlled proceedings at Nissan Arena, pulling away behind a 10point second quarter from Reuben Te Rangi (21 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists).

The Brisbane Bullets swingman was well supported by guard Shea Ili (21 points, six rebounds, five assists), Jordan Ngatai (19 points) and Rob Loe (19 points, nine rebounds).

Former player Pero Cameron was showered with water following a win in his coaching debut and arrived to the postgame press conference still dripping.

‘‘There’s nothing like being in the hot seat. I’m just so happy to be in the job,’’ he said.

‘‘You can see our guys are licking their lips to score and maybe he [Te Rangi] just has a little more to prove.’’

Sam Froling, Angus Glover, Kyle Adnam, Sunday Dech and Dane Pineau all earned Boomers debuts, while exciting 17yearold guard Josh Giddey will be hoping to join them when Australia plays Hong Kong in Brisbane tomorrow.

Cameron Gliddon and Nathan Sobey (both 13 points, four rebounds) were the only two Boomers in the side that finished fourth in last year’s World Cup.

Todd Blanchfield led the Boomers with 17 points while Matt Hodgson had 11 points, nine boards and five assists.

‘‘Every Fiba game I’ve been a part of has those runs in it,’’ Boomers coach Will Weaver said of the pivotal second quarter.