Te Rangi signing a boost for Green
NEW SuperCity Rangers coach Jeff Green has landed his prize recruit, and now very much has his sights on snaffling another from under the nose of his arch rivals.
Green yesterday announced the signing of Breakers swingman Reuben Te Rangi for the upcoming New Zealand NBL season, completing an outstanding core five for what he hopes will be a realistic tilt at the championship.
Te Rangi, who played the last two seasons for the Southland Sharks, joins Aussie imports Tom Garlepp and Jason Cadee, veteran Dillon Boucher and former Tall Black Hayden Allen as Rangers signings for 2015.
The Rangers had previously confirmed the addition of Tall Black B J Anthony on a threeyear deal, but have since lost him to an Achilles tendon injury incurred with the Adelaide 36ers while on Australian NBL duty.
That leaves Green one short in his frontline contingent, though the controversial coach yesterday confirmed he hopes to win the battle against Wellington’s Saints for the services of experienced Tall Black Casey Frank.
Even though Green admits his club can’t match the cash being offered by the defending champions, he’s hopeful Frank’s desire to stay in Auckland will get their offer over the line.
‘‘There are not a lot of big four men in New Zealand and Casey is a hot product,’’ Green said. ‘‘The Saints have offered him ridiculous money which we can’t compete with, but we hope the appeal of Casey staying in Auckland and playing with his mates will win through.
‘‘We won’t get into a bidding war with the Saints though.’’
Green also believed a campaign in the Kiwi NBL was just what Te Rangi needed after a sub-standard season so far with
Rueben Te Rangi's signing is a great boost to the Jeff Greencoached Waitakere franchise. the Breakers following on from his troubles off the court in 2014.
Te Rangi was convicted of assault after an unsavoury incident in New Plymouth while on duty with the Sharks. The upshot of the judicial process has clearly hung over him into this Australian NBL campaign, with the 20-year-old shooting just 28 per cent from the floor and averaging 2.5 points and 1.7 rebounds in just over 14 minutes a game.
‘‘He’s a great signing for us,’’ Green said.
‘‘He’s still finding his feet in the Aussie league but in the New Zealand league he’s going to be absolute dynamite.
‘‘The Australian league is a different kettle of fish – it’s a lot harder. It’s a lot more physical defensively, the athletes are better and, yes, it’s a struggle for him at the moment. But he’ll find his rhythm with us real quick. He’s played my system before and understands what he needs to do to flourish.’’
Green will now focus on rounding out his roster with some of the many quality players who reside in the top half of the North Island and now have only one team in their catchment area.
He hopes to pick up Aucklanders Josh Bloxham and Nick Barrow, and is confident he’ll finish with a quality group capable of having a real lick at the title in the season which tips off in April.