Breakers, Phoenix move to Hobart after outbreak

BASKETBALL

PERTH: Australian NBL clubs the New Zealand Breakers and South East Melbourne Phoenix have temporarily moved to Hobart following a fresh Covid19 outbreak in Victoria.

The Breakers had moved to Victoria in preparation for the season but they, along with the Phoenix, will now shift to Hobart to ensure they do not get stranded.

Melbourne United is in Cairns before two preseason games against the Taipans.

The Sydney Kings and the Hawks recently moved to the New South Wales border city of Albury, but they too will be moved due to the worsening situation.

The NBL is yet to announce where those two teams will be shifted.

The Kings are due to play the Perth Wildcats in a grand final rematch in Perth on January 15.

But with Western Australia shutting its borders to both NSW and Victoria, that game is almost certain to be rescheduled, along with a host of others.

‘‘Given the current situation in Melbourne we have decided it’s prudent for both clubs [Phoenix and Breakers] to relocate to Hobart and they will be accommodated and train there under strict Covid protocols,’’ NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said.

‘‘We hope the current restrictions and resulting border closures will be eased as quickly as possible but we will need to stay flexible in our approach and we will continue to be guided by the advice of the relevant state health authorities.’’

The ANBL had planned to host a hub in Melbourne from February 20 for a monthlong blitz of 36 games but that is now in jeopardy. — AAP