November 25, 2025 • 6 mins
The Breakers are throwing good vibes the Tall Blacks' way heading into the FIBA international window.
New Zealand confronts Australia in back-to-back 2027 World Cup qualifiers over the next week - in Hobart and Wellington.
Tall Blacks power forward Sam Mennenga joined D'Arcy to discuss.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talk Zed Be.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Tourbles on the other hand of assembled this week two
upcoming World Cup qualifying games against the Australian Boomers. First
one is in Hobart, tas Many on Friday night. Sam
and Inger power Forward Slash Center for the Tour Blocks
and the Breakers. He joins us now to talk about
these matches. Sam, Hi, you've just stiffed off the court,
(00:33):
hadn't you three hard days of training, then on the
plane and after Tazzy you're excited much.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
Yeah, no doubt, I'm super excited. The energy in this
group is amazing. You know, it's a bunch of guys
that you know already and people from your country.
Speaker 4 (00:48):
So energy is great. Excited, you know, the mood's high.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
What has been the primary direction of this first up
throw around? What have you been trying to work through?
Speaker 3 (00:59):
I think like we've got such a talented group here.
I think it's really having simplicity. You know, we've got
guys who can really play their strength and this is
arguably one of the most talented you know Schols we
put together in a little bit, so really keeping things
simple and playing to our strands has been, you know,
the biggest focus.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
And the want for you. What are your key instructions
right now? Are they not even doing individual stuff currently?
It's all about a team. I don't know how these
things work because it's obviously I've never read level.
Speaker 4 (01:25):
It's really about the team. You know.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
This is like you're stepping away from your your professional
club for a week.
Speaker 4 (01:29):
You know, it's a short stint.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
It's about the team, you know, and for us it's
about being beaten the Aussie So for me and everyone
on this roster, it's about individually.
Speaker 4 (01:36):
Seeing how they can best help the team and get
the job done. At the end of the.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
Day, you look across the team and young and older.
Who do you look to as a younger man playing
in the game. You got any mentors within that side
that you're going to stick close to?
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Yeah, I think I think on this one, we've got
you know, guys in my position Fenderlani and Johnnie Witchell
who I've known for a while, and you know, they've
played for the toil Blacks for a while. They've played
professionally for a very long time and been successful. So
I think just their guidance is very helpful and what
they bring to the table with their maturity and.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
What about the Aussies, what are they bring because he
got Yeah this is World Cup qualifying stuff.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
This is serious.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
It's not just a bit of a throw around, is it.
So what have they got?
Speaker 4 (02:15):
Yeah, I mean they've got some firepill.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
You know, they've got a lot of good guys and
you know, guys from who play in the NBA, a
couple of guys from leagues overseas, so you know there
are talented team. But we're ready for a fight, and
I think they're ready for a fight. So it's going
to be a battle for sure. But I think we're
sitting here getting ready and liking our chances.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Worry about what Jud's been up to. He coached Judd
Flabel because of course he's been involved at the Breakers
level as well. Is that is that helpful for you
guys that are involved with the Breakers franchise?
Speaker 4 (02:41):
Yeah, it's it's super helpful.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
You know. The things that we do with the Breakers
are things that Judd has implemented and things that he's
implementing with the Tillbacks too, So it's it's simple and
we already have that relationship, so you know, it's easy
to step out on the court and have that understanding
with each other and be able to just do your
job and play to win.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Where do you think your strengths are as a tall
black side, there's an area point to and go, we're
very good here Australia. You better watch out.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
I mean, I'm going to be biased on this and
say that I think we've had some very talented and
very deep bigs. You know you've got You've got myself,
You've got Yanni witzel Fenderlany Tara Harrison Toasmith Milner. You've
got guys who are all respected for their professional clubs,
starting and starring in their roles and so we have
we have some serious firepower in that department.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
Fire as players that you're missing. Max Darling's not going
to be involved. Anyone else is not around of course,
yeah you know Max pretty well. But the rest of them,
who haven't you got that you might miss.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
We've got Shay Elly who who came down and was
supposed to come into training camp, but he came down
with a hamstring injury, so he's going to be up
to So it's always tough losing you know, Max Darling Shaley.
Those are two guys that were supposed to be in
here but unfortunately due to injury, aren't able to play
and you always feel for those guys.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
When was the last time you guys played as a unit?
Because you constantly got a World Cup qualify and Asia
Cup qualify whatever else. When was the last time you
came together as a team.
Speaker 3 (04:01):
Yeah, the Fellers came together, you know, earlier. I think
it was July they did Asia Asia Cup. But that
was a younger team. There's a lot of guys who
went on that team in this camp. So it's always changing,
you know. It's just now it's about building a consistent
core group of guys who come into the Turbots camp
every you know, every few months, whenever that window is available,
and start building towards you know, things like the World
(04:21):
Cup and then also the Olympics.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
And that's got to be in your mind. But way
in the future, you've got to worry about the Australians
first and foremost. Your role plainly, you're going to be
a starting man. Are you going to be a bench
Do you know what you're up to? What you have
to do?
Speaker 3 (04:38):
No, I have no idea, what's going to happen there,
And to be honest, that's that's the least of my concerns,
you know. For me, it's just about what we can
do to beat dozzies.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
As a young man watching basketball, would you look at
the Boomers and things, I'll be involved in a tall
Blacks team that's going to roll these guys eventually.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
Yeah, no doubt.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
That's that's what I want, you know, So I mean
to be able to do that, we've got to, you know,
put our best footboard.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
And just a wee bit on your own form as well.
You've had some abs asolute standout performances in the NBL.
The Breakers haven't performed that well, let's be honest right
now at the bottom of the table. But how much
of this good form of you got you can carry
through an international level? Is it transferable between the NBL
and the international game.
Speaker 3 (05:21):
Yeah, I mean it's a little different and your role
is going to be different, but there's definitely you bring
in your best vision of yourself, so you know, you
bring what you do well to the table. Obviously it's
going to be a little bit different, but you see,
you know where you can fit in and where you
can be successful.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
And talk yourself up. Where are you the best? I'm
pretty sure we can do this. A lot of athletes
don't like doing it. But where are you at your best?
And where do you need to kind of lift away?
Speaker 3 (05:43):
But do you think I mean to be honest, like
I'm going to say that I can always lift everywhere.
You know you're never a perfect player, but I think
you know for me, it's just the versatility of like
size and speed and athleticism and being able to shoot
the floor and shoot the ball.
Speaker 4 (05:55):
That's always been the case.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
And if you can do that at a high level at.
Speaker 4 (05:59):
A position you're on the full spot, you can be
pretty successful.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to US Talks.
It'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talk Zed Be.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Tourbles on the other hand of assembled this week two
upcoming World Cup qualifying games against the Australian Boomers. First
one is in Hobart, tas Many on Friday night. Sam
and Inger power Forward Slash Center for the Tour Blocks
and the Breakers. He joins us now to talk about
these matches. Sam, Hi, you've just stiffed off the court,
(00:33):
hadn't you three hard days of training, then on the
plane and after Tazzy you're excited much.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
Yeah, no doubt, I'm super excited. The energy in this
group is amazing. You know, it's a bunch of guys
that you know already and people from your country.
Speaker 4 (00:48):
So energy is great. Excited, you know, the mood's high.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
What has been the primary direction of this first up
throw around? What have you been trying to work through?
Speaker 3 (00:59):
I think like we've got such a talented group here.
I think it's really having simplicity. You know, we've got
guys who can really play their strength and this is
arguably one of the most talented you know Schols we
put together in a little bit, so really keeping things
simple and playing to our strands has been, you know,
the biggest focus.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
And the want for you. What are your key instructions
right now? Are they not even doing individual stuff currently?
It's all about a team. I don't know how these
things work because it's obviously I've never read level.
Speaker 4 (01:25):
It's really about the team. You know.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
This is like you're stepping away from your your professional
club for a week.
Speaker 4 (01:29):
You know, it's a short stint.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
It's about the team, you know, and for us it's
about being beaten the Aussie So for me and everyone
on this roster, it's about individually.
Speaker 4 (01:36):
Seeing how they can best help the team and get
the job done. At the end of the.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
Day, you look across the team and young and older.
Who do you look to as a younger man playing
in the game. You got any mentors within that side
that you're going to stick close to?
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Yeah, I think I think on this one, we've got
you know, guys in my position Fenderlani and Johnnie Witchell
who I've known for a while, and you know, they've
played for the toil Blacks for a while. They've played
professionally for a very long time and been successful. So
I think just their guidance is very helpful and what
they bring to the table with their maturity and.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
What about the Aussies, what are they bring because he
got Yeah this is World Cup qualifying stuff.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
This is serious.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
It's not just a bit of a throw around, is it.
So what have they got?
Speaker 4 (02:15):
Yeah, I mean they've got some firepill.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
You know, they've got a lot of good guys and
you know, guys from who play in the NBA, a
couple of guys from leagues overseas, so you know there
are talented team. But we're ready for a fight, and
I think they're ready for a fight. So it's going
to be a battle for sure. But I think we're
sitting here getting ready and liking our chances.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Worry about what Jud's been up to. He coached Judd
Flabel because of course he's been involved at the Breakers
level as well. Is that is that helpful for you
guys that are involved with the Breakers franchise?
Speaker 4 (02:41):
Yeah, it's it's super helpful.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
You know. The things that we do with the Breakers
are things that Judd has implemented and things that he's
implementing with the Tillbacks too, So it's it's simple and
we already have that relationship, so you know, it's easy
to step out on the court and have that understanding
with each other and be able to just do your
job and play to win.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Where do you think your strengths are as a tall
black side, there's an area point to and go, we're
very good here Australia. You better watch out.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
I mean, I'm going to be biased on this and
say that I think we've had some very talented and
very deep bigs. You know you've got You've got myself,
You've got Yanni witzel Fenderlany Tara Harrison Toasmith Milner. You've
got guys who are all respected for their professional clubs,
starting and starring in their roles and so we have
we have some serious firepower in that department.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
Fire as players that you're missing. Max Darling's not going
to be involved. Anyone else is not around of course,
yeah you know Max pretty well. But the rest of them,
who haven't you got that you might miss.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
We've got Shay Elly who who came down and was
supposed to come into training camp, but he came down
with a hamstring injury, so he's going to be up
to So it's always tough losing you know, Max Darling Shaley.
Those are two guys that were supposed to be in
here but unfortunately due to injury, aren't able to play
and you always feel for those guys.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
When was the last time you guys played as a unit?
Because you constantly got a World Cup qualify and Asia
Cup qualify whatever else. When was the last time you
came together as a team.
Speaker 3 (04:01):
Yeah, the Fellers came together, you know, earlier. I think
it was July they did Asia Asia Cup. But that
was a younger team. There's a lot of guys who
went on that team in this camp. So it's always changing,
you know. It's just now it's about building a consistent
core group of guys who come into the Turbots camp
every you know, every few months, whenever that window is available,
and start building towards you know, things like the World
(04:21):
Cup and then also the Olympics.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
And that's got to be in your mind. But way
in the future, you've got to worry about the Australians
first and foremost. Your role plainly, you're going to be
a starting man. Are you going to be a bench
Do you know what you're up to? What you have
to do?
Speaker 3 (04:38):
No, I have no idea, what's going to happen there,
And to be honest, that's that's the least of my concerns,
you know. For me, it's just about what we can
do to beat dozzies.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
As a young man watching basketball, would you look at
the Boomers and things, I'll be involved in a tall
Blacks team that's going to roll these guys eventually.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
Yeah, no doubt.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
That's that's what I want, you know, So I mean
to be able to do that, we've got to, you know,
put our best footboard.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
And just a wee bit on your own form as well.
You've had some abs asolute standout performances in the NBL.
The Breakers haven't performed that well, let's be honest right
now at the bottom of the table. But how much
of this good form of you got you can carry
through an international level? Is it transferable between the NBL
and the international game.
Speaker 3 (05:21):
Yeah, I mean it's a little different and your role
is going to be different, but there's definitely you bring
in your best vision of yourself, so you know, you
bring what you do well to the table. Obviously it's
going to be a little bit different, but you see,
you know where you can fit in and where you
can be successful.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
And talk yourself up. Where are you the best? I'm
pretty sure we can do this. A lot of athletes
don't like doing it. But where are you at your best?
And where do you need to kind of lift away?
Speaker 3 (05:43):
But do you think I mean to be honest, like
I'm going to say that I can always lift everywhere.
You know you're never a perfect player, but I think
you know for me, it's just the versatility of like
size and speed and athleticism and being able to shoot
the floor and shoot the ball.
Speaker 4 (05:55):
That's always been the case.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
And if you can do that at a high level at.
Speaker 4 (05:59):
A position you're on the full spot, you can be
pretty successful.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to US Talks.
It'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
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