May 10, 2025 • 10 mins
The Tall Blacks have been dealt a couple of losses during the trans-Tasman throwdown, but the team's hoping to turn their luck around.
The Australian Boomers beat the Kiwi side 92-67 in Game 2 on the Sunshine Coast.
Tall Blacks coach Judd Flavell joined Piney to discuss.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talk ZB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Basketball doubleheader at Globox Arena, Claudland's Hamilton today to conclude
the Trans Tasman Throwdown. The Australian Boomers and the Tall
Blacks have just tipped off at ten past four as
the Australian Opals and the Tall Ferns now. Both Australian
teams were victorious in the opening two matches and Adelaide
on Wednesday night the Opals beat our Tall Ferns eighty
(00:35):
eight to seventy and the Boomers beat the Tall Blacks
eighty points to sixty eight. And then on Friday night
in the Sunshine Coast it was the women's ninety two
to sixty seven to Australia and in the men ninety
eight sorry ninety two sixty seven and the men ninety
eight to fifty seven in the women. So some pride
to play for this afternoon in the third and final
(00:57):
games of this Trans Tasman series, the Trans Tasman throw
Down as they're calling it. I spoke yesterday with Tall
Black's coach jud Flavel just after he got off the
plane on the flight home and asked him what had
taken up most of his thinking time on the flight
back to New Zealand ahead of Game three this afternoon.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Yeah, it was an early start for us this morning,
travel day and all, but had had some time to
look across, get across the film, and I guess, you know,
there's a lot to light there in terms of what
we wanted to achieve. We wanted to tidy up some
of the things on the offensive end, and you know,
we we we were able to do that, and we
(01:37):
just I guess trying to put it together consistently is
the is the mission the objective? And at times when
we did do that and converted, you know, we we
were good. We haven't shot the ball well, we've show it,
I guess across both games, you know, twenty three percent
from a three point line.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
And so it's hard to win ball games, you know.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
And when I guess you are unable to convert, I
guess what you're trying to do. But I thought, defensively,
we've been very solid across the board.
Speaker 4 (02:13):
Little things that we can.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
You know, as as you get into these these games
and you know your your opponents throws them different things
at you.
Speaker 4 (02:22):
But for the most part in the core of our defense,
I've been really happy with it.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
So when you're looking for offensive consistency Jardin, and those
three pointers aren't dropping the way you are hoping they will,
are you encouraging your guys to keep on shooting from
from free point land or are you looking for other
options to that point.
Speaker 3 (02:41):
Yeah, Look, traditionally tall blacks, we we have to be
out of space the floor, and so the shots that
we you know, some of the shots that we get
in and they're not falling, We're happy with that. That's
that's you're playing the numbers game as far as as
far as that's concerned, and numbers. Uh, yeah, Like shooters
have got to shoot, and if we turn down those shots,
(03:03):
then you know, we live. I guess we'll give ourselves
less time on the on the shop clock and to
try to generate more by another advantage, which is really
just going to come back to getting the same shot.
Speaker 4 (03:15):
So I guess we don't have a lot of.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
Margin for error, I guess at that end, And so
we have to be very precise and be on top
of things as far as the execution is concerned. And yeah,
given a short time frame, and the way that we
came into this window. You know, if we had a
longer prep time then maybe maybe some things we would
have done differently. But yeah, it's a good it's a
good process for us to go through in what leads
(03:41):
into the Asia Cup and in a couple of months time.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
So you alluded to your defensive performance before Judd across
the two matches, how do you evaluate your your your
defensive performance.
Speaker 4 (03:54):
Yeah, as I say, just I think pretty solid across
the board.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
That the two areas that it really stood out last
night obviously was points that we gave up in transition
and that really was a I guess a flowing effect
from what you're doing, and the half gourt offensively, Like
if you're executing well and you're getting good shots, you
can be predictable and getting to your defensive transition structures.
But we you know, we had a lot of turnovers.
(04:20):
We had I think it was sixteen or eighteen turnovers
that led to a lot of points for them, and
we also gave up I guess the offensive rebound count.
Speaker 4 (04:30):
We've lost that both games, and.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
I guess that's those are the sides that the sides
of the game that you know, if you've got to
be solid across.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
Those areas and that gives you a fighting chants.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
And you know Xavier Cooks who had six offensive rebounds
last last night, as you know, someone like that has
to be Yeah, we have to make it more difficult
for them. And sometimes it's an effort thing. Sometimes it's
just the way our structures are on the defensive end.
So yeah, those are the two areas for us that
we will be looking to improve. And but you know, overall,
(05:02):
for the defense and for the short time span and
the can that that we have, you know, things that
there's been some good science.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
You're welcomed Fin Delaney back into your camp after his
club season in Japan was all done. Good to have
him back in the Black Singler. How much of a
boost does Findalaney give you?
Speaker 3 (05:23):
Yeah, just a leader, another veteran that has a wealth
of experience and knowledge, and you know it just it's
been great. Obviously a guy that can play at a
high level and has been playing at a high level
for a number of years.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
And yeah, I know the toll box means a lot.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
For him and him coming back and such a short
notice and you know, straight after the conclusion of his
season in Japan, just speaks volumes of him and what
the tour backs means to him and what he means
to the twllbacks as well.
Speaker 4 (05:54):
So the great influence to have. We've got a young group.
Speaker 3 (05:57):
We got like three or fourteen agers here, some early
some guys in the early twenties, and having a role
model and a leader like is yeah with its weight
in gold.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
So you mentioned I mean there's a couple of players
who aren't available. Maybe you can just drill down to
that a little bit for us, Judd, how close is
this tall Blacks roster to the best possible side you
could put out of everybody was available.
Speaker 4 (06:23):
Yeah, look, it's good.
Speaker 3 (06:25):
As I said, a lot of youngsters that are going
to be you know, tall blacks for used to come.
And I guess tama Isaac an eighteen year old who
will be eating.
Speaker 4 (06:35):
Off to college soon.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
And say with Julius Ala who is apparently over in Georgetown,
you know, both to eighteen year old's Jackson boy who
got on the court again last night, and a seventeen
year old that is still at school and you know
at high school and nape your boys.
Speaker 4 (06:52):
So yeah, we also had Oscar.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
Goodman as well another eighteen year old that was at
the Adelaide game. These guys are at the future of
news own basketball and you know they've got their way
into the squad because of I guess just timing of
when this this series was played. You know, there's a
(07:16):
there's a lot of international basketball that's still going in
terms of the professional league. So there's a lot of
a large number of guys that are currently away and unavailable.
You know, Ty Webster's are in Europe and along with
Jordan Natai and Yanni Witzel, and then we have about
three or four guys over in Puerto Rico as well,
so as well as Japan, and so yeah, there's a
(07:40):
number of guys that I would say is are missing.
Speaker 4 (07:44):
And you know we had named some guys.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
You have Flynn Cameron who was part of this initial
group and Corey Webster, but you know, injuries, you know
that they come around, but you know, bad timing for
them and for us, But look what it has given
us as an opportunity to build our future and you know,
and that looks promising.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
So back home now and we don't get the chance
to watch the tall Blacks player Australia on home courts
very often. How motivated are you to pull up a
game back and to put on a real show for
your home fans in game three?
Speaker 4 (08:14):
Oh absolutely, you know.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
We we relished the opportunity to play against our I
guess our rivals and two in this series has really
stretched us and we've learned a lot about ourselves and
a great preparation for what we're great opportunities for us
to really stretch ourselves and this, yeah, this game in
(08:39):
Hamilton tomorrow is going to be yea nothing short of
what we've seen so far. Two countries playing hard and
playing the game the right way, and I think it's going.
Speaker 4 (08:50):
To be a great spectacle.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
Of course, you know, we are going to compete as
hard as we can and do the best that we
can and try to put on I guess a performance
that we can be very proud of and putting together
forty minutes. There's something that we'll be striving for, you
know as we as we close out the series.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
And speaking of young up and coming players, your daughter
Bailey is on the Tall Ferns side that's been playing
the opals, the Australian women's side at the same time
you've been facing the Boomers. So have you been able
to take a break from being tall Black's coach to
be a proud dad.
Speaker 3 (09:25):
Well, I actually after the game yesterday did stick around
and watch their game, and so yeah, he had had
a moment there to sort of watch her, and yeah,
it's been fun. Look, you know, just been on tour
with this. I think with the Tall Fans group and
the Tall back's been together, it's you. It's great for
the two teams to be playing and traveling around together
(09:47):
and and sort of really build.
Speaker 4 (09:49):
That connection there.
Speaker 3 (09:51):
And obviously having Bailey there, you know, sometimes I do
catch myself going on that's right. Yeah, Barey's playing and
Bailey's here, so I see her, you know, having a.
Speaker 4 (09:58):
Good time and enjoying the experience. But yeah, that's that's
what it's all about at the end of the day.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
It's it's basketball, it's it's sport, and you it's fun and.
Speaker 4 (10:08):
Yeah, we're lucky to do this.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
That is the voice of Judd Flavel, tall Black's coach,
who I spoke to once they jumped off the plane
yesterday ahead of Game three Today.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk sed B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talk ZB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Basketball doubleheader at Globox Arena, Claudland's Hamilton today to conclude
the Trans Tasman Throwdown. The Australian Boomers and the Tall
Blacks have just tipped off at ten past four as
the Australian Opals and the Tall Ferns now. Both Australian
teams were victorious in the opening two matches and Adelaide
on Wednesday night the Opals beat our Tall Ferns eighty
(00:35):
eight to seventy and the Boomers beat the Tall Blacks
eighty points to sixty eight. And then on Friday night
in the Sunshine Coast it was the women's ninety two
to sixty seven to Australia and in the men ninety
eight sorry ninety two sixty seven and the men ninety
eight to fifty seven in the women. So some pride
to play for this afternoon in the third and final
(00:57):
games of this Trans Tasman series, the Trans Tasman throw
Down as they're calling it. I spoke yesterday with Tall
Black's coach jud Flavel just after he got off the
plane on the flight home and asked him what had
taken up most of his thinking time on the flight
back to New Zealand ahead of Game three this afternoon.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Yeah, it was an early start for us this morning,
travel day and all, but had had some time to
look across, get across the film, and I guess, you know,
there's a lot to light there in terms of what
we wanted to achieve. We wanted to tidy up some
of the things on the offensive end, and you know,
we we we were able to do that, and we
(01:37):
just I guess trying to put it together consistently is
the is the mission the objective? And at times when
we did do that and converted, you know, we we
were good. We haven't shot the ball well, we've show it,
I guess across both games, you know, twenty three percent
from a three point line.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
And so it's hard to win ball games, you know.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
And when I guess you are unable to convert, I
guess what you're trying to do. But I thought, defensively,
we've been very solid across the board.
Speaker 4 (02:13):
Little things that we can.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
You know, as as you get into these these games
and you know your your opponents throws them different things
at you.
Speaker 4 (02:22):
But for the most part in the core of our defense,
I've been really happy with it.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
So when you're looking for offensive consistency Jardin, and those
three pointers aren't dropping the way you are hoping they will,
are you encouraging your guys to keep on shooting from
from free point land or are you looking for other
options to that point.
Speaker 3 (02:41):
Yeah, Look, traditionally tall blacks, we we have to be
out of space the floor, and so the shots that
we you know, some of the shots that we get
in and they're not falling, We're happy with that. That's
that's you're playing the numbers game as far as as
far as that's concerned, and numbers. Uh, yeah, Like shooters
have got to shoot, and if we turn down those shots,
(03:03):
then you know, we live. I guess we'll give ourselves
less time on the on the shop clock and to
try to generate more by another advantage, which is really
just going to come back to getting the same shot.
Speaker 4 (03:15):
So I guess we don't have a lot of.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
Margin for error, I guess at that end, And so
we have to be very precise and be on top
of things as far as the execution is concerned. And yeah,
given a short time frame, and the way that we
came into this window. You know, if we had a
longer prep time then maybe maybe some things we would
have done differently. But yeah, it's a good it's a
good process for us to go through in what leads
(03:41):
into the Asia Cup and in a couple of months time.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
So you alluded to your defensive performance before Judd across
the two matches, how do you evaluate your your your
defensive performance.
Speaker 4 (03:54):
Yeah, as I say, just I think pretty solid across
the board.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
That the two areas that it really stood out last
night obviously was points that we gave up in transition
and that really was a I guess a flowing effect
from what you're doing, and the half gourt offensively, Like
if you're executing well and you're getting good shots, you
can be predictable and getting to your defensive transition structures.
But we you know, we had a lot of turnovers.
(04:20):
We had I think it was sixteen or eighteen turnovers
that led to a lot of points for them, and
we also gave up I guess the offensive rebound count.
Speaker 4 (04:30):
We've lost that both games, and.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
I guess that's those are the sides that the sides
of the game that you know, if you've got to
be solid across.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
Those areas and that gives you a fighting chants.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
And you know Xavier Cooks who had six offensive rebounds
last last night, as you know, someone like that has
to be Yeah, we have to make it more difficult
for them. And sometimes it's an effort thing. Sometimes it's
just the way our structures are on the defensive end.
So yeah, those are the two areas for us that
we will be looking to improve. And but you know, overall,
(05:02):
for the defense and for the short time span and
the can that that we have, you know, things that
there's been some good science.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
You're welcomed Fin Delaney back into your camp after his
club season in Japan was all done. Good to have
him back in the Black Singler. How much of a
boost does Findalaney give you?
Speaker 3 (05:23):
Yeah, just a leader, another veteran that has a wealth
of experience and knowledge, and you know it just it's
been great. Obviously a guy that can play at a
high level and has been playing at a high level
for a number of years.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
And yeah, I know the toll box means a lot.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
For him and him coming back and such a short
notice and you know, straight after the conclusion of his
season in Japan, just speaks volumes of him and what
the tour backs means to him and what he means
to the twllbacks as well.
Speaker 4 (05:54):
So the great influence to have. We've got a young group.
Speaker 3 (05:57):
We got like three or fourteen agers here, some early
some guys in the early twenties, and having a role
model and a leader like is yeah with its weight
in gold.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
So you mentioned I mean there's a couple of players
who aren't available. Maybe you can just drill down to
that a little bit for us, Judd, how close is
this tall Blacks roster to the best possible side you
could put out of everybody was available.
Speaker 4 (06:23):
Yeah, look, it's good.
Speaker 3 (06:25):
As I said, a lot of youngsters that are going
to be you know, tall blacks for used to come.
And I guess tama Isaac an eighteen year old who
will be eating.
Speaker 4 (06:35):
Off to college soon.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
And say with Julius Ala who is apparently over in Georgetown,
you know, both to eighteen year old's Jackson boy who
got on the court again last night, and a seventeen
year old that is still at school and you know
at high school and nape your boys.
Speaker 4 (06:52):
So yeah, we also had Oscar.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
Goodman as well another eighteen year old that was at
the Adelaide game. These guys are at the future of
news own basketball and you know they've got their way
into the squad because of I guess just timing of
when this this series was played. You know, there's a
(07:16):
there's a lot of international basketball that's still going in
terms of the professional league. So there's a lot of
a large number of guys that are currently away and unavailable.
You know, Ty Webster's are in Europe and along with
Jordan Natai and Yanni Witzel, and then we have about
three or four guys over in Puerto Rico as well,
so as well as Japan, and so yeah, there's a
(07:40):
number of guys that I would say is are missing.
Speaker 4 (07:44):
And you know we had named some guys.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
You have Flynn Cameron who was part of this initial
group and Corey Webster, but you know, injuries, you know
that they come around, but you know, bad timing for
them and for us, But look what it has given
us as an opportunity to build our future and you know,
and that looks promising.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
So back home now and we don't get the chance
to watch the tall Blacks player Australia on home courts
very often. How motivated are you to pull up a
game back and to put on a real show for
your home fans in game three?
Speaker 4 (08:14):
Oh absolutely, you know.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
We we relished the opportunity to play against our I
guess our rivals and two in this series has really
stretched us and we've learned a lot about ourselves and
a great preparation for what we're great opportunities for us
to really stretch ourselves and this, yeah, this game in
(08:39):
Hamilton tomorrow is going to be yea nothing short of
what we've seen so far. Two countries playing hard and
playing the game the right way, and I think it's going.
Speaker 4 (08:50):
To be a great spectacle.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
Of course, you know, we are going to compete as
hard as we can and do the best that we
can and try to put on I guess a performance
that we can be very proud of and putting together
forty minutes. There's something that we'll be striving for, you
know as we as we close out the series.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
And speaking of young up and coming players, your daughter
Bailey is on the Tall Ferns side that's been playing
the opals, the Australian women's side at the same time
you've been facing the Boomers. So have you been able
to take a break from being tall Black's coach to
be a proud dad.
Speaker 3 (09:25):
Well, I actually after the game yesterday did stick around
and watch their game, and so yeah, he had had
a moment there to sort of watch her, and yeah,
it's been fun. Look, you know, just been on tour
with this. I think with the Tall Fans group and
the Tall back's been together, it's you. It's great for
the two teams to be playing and traveling around together
(09:47):
and and sort of really build.
Speaker 4 (09:49):
That connection there.
Speaker 3 (09:51):
And obviously having Bailey there, you know, sometimes I do
catch myself going on that's right. Yeah, Barey's playing and
Bailey's here, so I see her, you know, having a.
Speaker 4 (09:58):
Good time and enjoying the experience. But yeah, that's that's
what it's all about at the end of the day.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
It's it's basketball, it's it's sport, and you it's fun and.
Speaker 4 (10:08):
Yeah, we're lucky to do this.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
That is the voice of Judd Flavel, tall Black's coach,
who I spoke to once they jumped off the plane
yesterday ahead of Game three Today.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk sed B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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