NZ seeking 2009 rerun

The Tall Blacks will need to put in a flawless performance to overturn a 12-point deficit in the Oceania Basketball Championship.

New Zealand lost to the Australian Boomers 71-59 in game one in Melbourne on Saturday, so need to win by more than 12 points to secure qualification to the 2016 Olympics. Tall Blacks coach Paul Henare said they would need a monumental defensive effort to achieve that.

‘‘There were a number of defensive breakdowns [in game one] which led to scoring opportunities for the Boomers and they’re such a good side that you have to be near perfect at the defensive end.

‘‘Then for us, it’s a couple of minor tweaks on the offensive end, we didn’t shoot the ball well but we felt we got good looks and it’s continuing to get our guys in spots where they’re comfortable to score.’’

Game two has uncanny parallels to the last time the two teams played in Wellington in 2009. That year, New Zealand let a threepoint fourth-quarter lead slip out to a sevenpoint loss in game one in Melbourne, before returning to Wellington to win 100-78, their biggest win over the Boomers.

Mika Vukona had 25 points and 12 rebounds in that game. ‘‘Everything went perfect for us [in 2009]. We came out and we were aggressive and it’s one of those things you don’t really forget. We’d love to emulate that – it’s a different group of guys but everyone is confident.’’ Asked whether he was up for another big night, the 33-year-old Vukona said he would take it if it came.

While it is unlikely Vukona will reproduce those heroic efforts, Corey Webster could be one to turn the tables on the Boomers. Webster was 20 in 2009 and watched from the bench as Kirk Penney lit up TSB Bank Arena with 24 points.

This year it will need to be Webster with the hot hand for the Tall Blacks.

If the Tall Blacks win by 12 in game two, then extra time will be played.