A new era of rivalry begins

There’s a new show in town with the AUS v NZL Trans-Tasman Throwdown arriving in Australia and New Zealand this May.

Old rivals will open a new era with the Boomers and Seven Consulting Opals facing off against the Tall Blacks and 2degrees Tall Ferns in host cities Adelaide (7 May), Sunshine Coast (9 May) and Hamilton (11 May).

“The arrival of the Trans-Tasman Throwdown series is a testament to the rise of the game in both Australia and New Zealand. There’s a strong history of basketball in both regions and like Australia, Aotearoa is currently driving and enjoying a boom of their own,” said Matt Scriven, CEO – Basketball Australia.

“We want the inaugural series to set the foundation for a tradition that fans, players and teams will embrace, and we look forward to introducing a new era of rivalry between Australia and New Zealand basketball. “ 

There will be added fire in the series with the Boomers and Opals eyeing a strong run into the FIBA Asia Cup in China later this year.

Across the Tasman at Surrealist Gardens in Hamilton, Basketball New Zealand had stars and coaches at their launch event.

Bailey Flavell (Tall Ferns), Leanne Walker (Assistant Coach - Tall Ferns), Taylor Britt (Tall Blacks) & Judd Flavell (Head Coach - Tall Blacks) expressed sentiments akin to Basketball New Zealand CEO Dillon Boucher.

“We are incredibly excited for the Trans-Tasman Throwdown. The rivalry between our two countries is unmatched, and these three games promise to be action packed. To be able to host the Tall Blacks and 2dgrees Tall Ferns at home, in front of a home crowd is huge for us,” said Boucher.

“The Tall Blacks have not played Australia in Aotearoa for nearly ten years, and the 2dgrees Tall Ferns have not played at home for over five. We cannot wait to host Australia in Kirikiriroa, Hamilton in what promises to be an incredible experience that fans will not want to miss.”

This series marks a fantastic opportunity for basketball fans across Australia and New Zealand to see their national teams live in action with this being the first time the Boomers have played the Tall Blacks in Australia since 2021 and close to ten years since the Tall Blacks hosted the Boomers in New Zealand.  

For the Opals and 2degrees Tall Ferns, the Australians edged out New Zealand in bronze medal match of the 2023 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Sydney.

Since then, they have not played one another in New Zealand since 2015, and the 2dgrees Tall Ferns have not played at home in over five years.

Tickets via Ticketek

General Public on-sale:

• 10:00AM NZDT Wednesday, 5^th February
• 10:00AM ACDT Wednesday, 5^th February
• 10:00AM AEDT Wednesday, 5^th February

Tickets start from $19 and available from www.ticketek.com.au and www.ticketek.com.nz