Basketball: Tall Blacks focus on strengths

Kirk Penney's heard enough talk about the vast riches within the Australian basketball side.

The sharp-shooting New Zealand guard prefers to focus on the Tall Blacks' strengths as they head into the first of four tests against their arch rivals.

The Tall Blacks' hefty preparation for the world championships in Japan next month starts in Napier with tests tonight and Friday before the series moves to Hobart and Melbourne.

Although Penney and his teammates respect the world's ninth best team, they have no fear of the Commonwealth Games gold medallists and have faith in their systems which Israel-based Penney believes can upset any team on their night.

But they will have to hit the court running if they plan on stemming Australia's winning streak against New Zealand, which stands at 8-1 since 2004.

"We're going up against a good team. We just have to execute, play well and knock our shots down. We know what our strengths are and how to go use them, but we have to fire on as many cylinders as possible," Penney said.

"Australia are a tall team, but there are a lot of ways to counter that, it's just a matter of going out there and running our stuff."

New Zealand's assets lie with the long-range shooting prowess of Penney and fellow guard Phill Jones, the ability of Mark Dickel and Paul Henare to orchestrate the offence, and bullocking forward Pero Cameron, who on his night can dictate play and stamp his class on any match.

Where the Tall Blacks find themselves vulnerable is one facet obviously pivotal in basketball - height.

In the 2.13m Tony Rampton they have some tall timber, whereas Australia boast a selection of cherry pickers - three players who reach 2.13m who can make life very tough for the New Zealanders.

To limit the influence of NBA star Andrew Bogut, Wade Heliwell and former NBA player Chris Anstey, New Zealand have to try to restrict their rebounds by blocking them under the boards while applying pressure to players on the perimeter and upset their delivery to the towering forwards on the inside.

New Zealand players who could debut include Waikato forward Ben Hill and US-based college player Jeremiah Trueman.


Squads

New Zealand (from): Dillon Boucher, Craig Bradshaw, Pero Cameron (captain), Mark Dickel, Casey Frank, Paul Henare, Ben Hill, Phill Jones, Aaron Olson, Kirk Penney, Tony Rampton, Jeremiah Trueman, Mika Vukona, Paora Winitana.

Australia (from): Chris Anstey, David Barlow, Andrew Bogut, Aaron Bruce, Wade Helliwell, Russell Hinder, Luke Kendall, Sam McKinnon, Aleks Maric, Steven Markovic, Brad Newley, Jason Smith.

- NZPA