Basketball: No gain for Hawks after NBL classifies Duinker as Saints import

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The ruling that Josh Duinker is to be classified as a Wellington Saints import will not make any difference to any teams who have lost to the defending champions.

The National Basketball League (NBL) leaders hadn't lost any points but it was revealed Duinker, who had made significant contributions in every game, including double-doubles, had represented The Netherlands even though the Australia-born player travels on a New Zealand passport.

"Well, they haven't been fined in any way because it was an oversight on the NBL's behalf," says Taylor Hawks general manager Kevin Wagg although media reports had noted last year in Nelson Duinker had represented the Dutch when plying his trade with the Giants.

"I think it's hardly fair of the Saints as well because it should have been picked up the NBL. I don't think the Saints were even aware of it," Wagg said of Wellington who are undefeated in the NBL to date this season.

The Kirstin Daly-Taylor-coached Hawks, who broke a 24-match losing streak last Sunday against the Nelson Giants in Napier, host the Southland Sharks at the Pettigrew-Green Arena, Taradale, tomorrow.

Waggs said the Jarrod Kenny and Everard Bartlett co-skippered side were ecstatic about chucking the monkey off their in beating the last-placed Giants, 81-63.

"They played really well, not that the Giants played badly," he said, adding the Hawks didn't get carried away but had a couple of beers to celebrate that night before showing their professionalism in returning to training the next day.

The Hawks, who had a day off yesterday, elected to train again to ensure they leave no stones unturned against the second-placed Sharks.

"We should beat the Sharks. Looking forward, I think, the toughest team will still be the Saints."

Southland, who are coming off a 100-73 win over Supercity Rangers but they play the Saints tonight in round five before travelling up here for tomorrow's 7pm tip off.

Tied on six points with Rangers, Canterbury Rams and Taranaki Mountainairs, the visitors will want to break away from the peloton.

If anything the Saints will have tenderised Southland tonight.

Wagg said with little happening on Good Friday, with rain dictating terms as well, what could possibly be better than a gold-coin donation entry to fill up the PG Arena to back the Hawks for their second victory of the season to help them towards a Final Four playoff berth.