July 19, 2025 • 6 mins
The Wellington Saints are hoping it'll be lucky number 13 when they host the Southland Sharks in this afternoon's New Zealand basketball league final.
The Saints had an imposing regular season record of 16 wins and four losses and have won 12 titles, with their last coming in 2021.
Wellington Saints star Jordan Ngatai joined Piney to discuss.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks ab Still.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
A National Basketball League final comes up this afternoon, Wellington
Saints the Southland Sharks a two thirty tip off at
TSB Bank Arena in Wellington. Jordan Natai with us out
of the Wellington Saints camp. Jordan, you beat the Five
convincingly in the semifinals by ninety three points to sixty eight.
What were you and the team most pleased about that night?
Speaker 3 (00:35):
I think just the focus mindset that we had. I mean,
we had a good week leading up to the game,
Our prep was good, all the boys were focused, and
then I think it just kind of gave us an
extra confidence hinden to the game.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
That was your eighth strike win as well. So if
you look back over the last couple of months, what
do you put your consistency down to.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
I think it's just our day to day work, honestly,
Like it might sound a bit cliche, but our process
leading up to each and every game has been pretty
on point, Like what is it coming in early doing
extras if they need getting what they need to get
their bodies right. So I think that's been like the
biggest thing. But then also us just figuring out a
game plan is sticking to it.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
And you look at the stats and the Saints don't
have anyone in the top ten average scorers across the
league across the season. So does that speak to a
genuine shared scoring responsibility across the team?
Speaker 3 (01:30):
Oh for sure. I think for us, like I think
I said in other interviews, as where like we have
one guy that can go off kind of every every
different night, Like it's not going to be my night
every single night. It could be Isaiah, as it could
be Nick Marshalls. Like we got that talented of a
group where it could be anyone's night, and then for
us it's our jobs to kind of keep that flowing
and get them the ball when it is that person's night.
(01:53):
But it also goes to show just how talented each
individual is.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
And down the other end of the court, how much
focus do you place on defense?
Speaker 3 (02:01):
I think for us it's something that we try to
hang our head on, Like I think some of our
best wins have been started started on a defensive end,
Like we talked about the semi final where we held
the Fire Who's a very talented team and they shoot
the war really well, but we were able to hold
them to sixty end points. So it's something we definitely
hold our heads on, but it's also something that can
(02:24):
we can kind of see if things aren't going to well,
we know we know where we need to get back to.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
Let's talk about the Sharks, your opposition in the final.
How weary are you of them, particularly after they went
to christ Church beat the double defending champion Rams last
weekend that was their ninth win in a row. How
you know how weary are you of the threat that
they will provide.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
I wouldn't say we're too worried in the sins, but
we are like concerned that we can't come out lexadaisically
against them. They are very talented team. We don't want
to underestimate them. But for us, it's just more or
less doubling down and what we do best and kind
of focusing more on what we do then it is
worrying about what the Sharks do, because I feel like
if we get caught up in that, then it can
(03:05):
take us down another wormhole and all these things. So
I think if we just kind of stick to what's
been working for us, I think that's even better. But
we just can't come into the game underestimating them because,
like I said, they are a very talented team that
have some talented players that can have big nights, And
I think that's what we've got to be more concerned concerned.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
You've beaten them a couple of times this season, Is
there anything that is useful from regular season games or
are knockout basketball matches just an entirely different prospect.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
I think it's just a totally different prospect. Like it's
just the one and done type thing, right, you don't
get a second chance that then, Whereas in the regular season,
if you play them game one, you know that you're
going to play them later down in the season and
they could improve. Like for me, I haven't played them
this season. This would be my first time, and who knows,
it could be it could be the night that we
(03:56):
have we celebrate. It could be a night that we
kind of look back and like, well, they changed so
much during the regular season that they were able to improve.
So so yeah, how much do you reckon?
Speaker 2 (04:06):
The REP League has helped the development and the depth
of the National Basketball League.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
For me, I think it's been one of the best
things that's happened. Like you see a couple of our
guys that have that have really grown through the Rapid
League because they've been able to get game live reps,
they've been able to shout to practice consistently and work
at it, and I think it's been one of the
best things that's happened to this league personally, and not
(04:33):
just looking at out guys, but also looking at other
other teams players of the young talent as well. I
think it can only just get better better from there.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
You've played a lot of basketball Jordan for a lot
of different teams, but does your hometown team, the Wellington
Saints still hold a special place for you?
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Oh, for sure. I think it's it's even more so
because I am from here. They are the team that
I kind of came came up through developing. I've known
the Mills family since I kind of started basketball, so
they've been a big help for me through my career.
So I think it would always hold that special place
in my career and my heart.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
And following this year off to the Fever Asia Cup
and Jitter with the Tall Blacks, preceded by the Solidarity
Cup and Four Nations Tournament in China, and for the
first time in your twelve year tall Black's career, you'll
be captain. Was there something you were expecting?
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Honestly, not really. I've been saying like they probably just
gave it to the old grumpy guy on the team.
But it's definitely been an honor. It's something that I'm
definitely proud to hold. I've had some great leaders to
learn from my twelve years with the toll Blacks, So
I think for me, it's just kind of not reinventing
(05:47):
anything different and just kind of sticking to what I
what I know, And I think it's also just giving
other guys more more of a voice as well, Like
it's not just me like I do have the captaincy
have but we are everyone has a voice in this team.
So yeah, what.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Are your ambitions for the Asia Cup?
Speaker 3 (06:05):
Oh, for me, it's obviously to win and to get gold,
but also on top of that, like I want to
get as high as possible seed as we can because
that's only just going to help us get to the
World Cup and they could just get another stepping stone,
so hopefully the Olympics.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Well, that's all ahead. The immediate point of business for
you is the National Basketball League Final. Is that your
little girl who wears the headphones down one end and
then comes on to see you afterwards.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
Yeah, that's my little girl.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
Well, I know she'll be there. Are supporting dad on
the weekend as well. Jordan, great to chat mate. We'll
look forward to seeing how you get on against Southeak.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
Thank you. I appreciate it, No, appreciate.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
You chatting to us. Jordan Nuttai out of the Wellington Saints.
They take on the Southland Sharks this afternoon two thirty
tip off at TSB Bank Arena in Wellington in the
New Zealand National Basketball League Final for twenty twenty five.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk said B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks ab Still.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
A National Basketball League final comes up this afternoon, Wellington
Saints the Southland Sharks a two thirty tip off at
TSB Bank Arena in Wellington. Jordan Natai with us out
of the Wellington Saints camp. Jordan, you beat the Five
convincingly in the semifinals by ninety three points to sixty eight.
What were you and the team most pleased about that night?
Speaker 3 (00:35):
I think just the focus mindset that we had. I mean,
we had a good week leading up to the game,
Our prep was good, all the boys were focused, and
then I think it just kind of gave us an
extra confidence hinden to the game.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
That was your eighth strike win as well. So if
you look back over the last couple of months, what
do you put your consistency down to.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
I think it's just our day to day work, honestly,
Like it might sound a bit cliche, but our process
leading up to each and every game has been pretty
on point, Like what is it coming in early doing
extras if they need getting what they need to get
their bodies right. So I think that's been like the
biggest thing. But then also us just figuring out a
game plan is sticking to it.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
And you look at the stats and the Saints don't
have anyone in the top ten average scorers across the
league across the season. So does that speak to a
genuine shared scoring responsibility across the team?
Speaker 3 (01:30):
Oh for sure. I think for us, like I think
I said in other interviews, as where like we have
one guy that can go off kind of every every
different night, Like it's not going to be my night
every single night. It could be Isaiah, as it could
be Nick Marshalls. Like we got that talented of a
group where it could be anyone's night, and then for
us it's our jobs to kind of keep that flowing
and get them the ball when it is that person's night.
(01:53):
But it also goes to show just how talented each
individual is.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
And down the other end of the court, how much
focus do you place on defense?
Speaker 3 (02:01):
I think for us it's something that we try to
hang our head on, Like I think some of our
best wins have been started started on a defensive end,
Like we talked about the semi final where we held
the Fire Who's a very talented team and they shoot
the war really well, but we were able to hold
them to sixty end points. So it's something we definitely
hold our heads on, but it's also something that can
(02:24):
we can kind of see if things aren't going to well,
we know we know where we need to get back to.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
Let's talk about the Sharks, your opposition in the final.
How weary are you of them, particularly after they went
to christ Church beat the double defending champion Rams last
weekend that was their ninth win in a row. How
you know how weary are you of the threat that
they will provide.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
I wouldn't say we're too worried in the sins, but
we are like concerned that we can't come out lexadaisically
against them. They are very talented team. We don't want
to underestimate them. But for us, it's just more or
less doubling down and what we do best and kind
of focusing more on what we do then it is
worrying about what the Sharks do, because I feel like
if we get caught up in that, then it can
(03:05):
take us down another wormhole and all these things. So
I think if we just kind of stick to what's
been working for us, I think that's even better. But
we just can't come into the game underestimating them because,
like I said, they are a very talented team that
have some talented players that can have big nights, And
I think that's what we've got to be more concerned concerned.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
You've beaten them a couple of times this season, Is
there anything that is useful from regular season games or
are knockout basketball matches just an entirely different prospect.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
I think it's just a totally different prospect. Like it's
just the one and done type thing, right, you don't
get a second chance that then, Whereas in the regular season,
if you play them game one, you know that you're
going to play them later down in the season and
they could improve. Like for me, I haven't played them
this season. This would be my first time, and who knows,
it could be it could be the night that we
(03:56):
have we celebrate. It could be a night that we
kind of look back and like, well, they changed so
much during the regular season that they were able to improve.
So so yeah, how much do you reckon?
Speaker 2 (04:06):
The REP League has helped the development and the depth
of the National Basketball League.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
For me, I think it's been one of the best
things that's happened. Like you see a couple of our
guys that have that have really grown through the Rapid
League because they've been able to get game live reps,
they've been able to shout to practice consistently and work
at it, and I think it's been one of the
best things that's happened to this league personally, and not
(04:33):
just looking at out guys, but also looking at other
other teams players of the young talent as well. I
think it can only just get better better from there.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
You've played a lot of basketball Jordan for a lot
of different teams, but does your hometown team, the Wellington
Saints still hold a special place for you?
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Oh, for sure. I think it's it's even more so
because I am from here. They are the team that
I kind of came came up through developing. I've known
the Mills family since I kind of started basketball, so
they've been a big help for me through my career.
So I think it would always hold that special place
in my career and my heart.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
And following this year off to the Fever Asia Cup
and Jitter with the Tall Blacks, preceded by the Solidarity
Cup and Four Nations Tournament in China, and for the
first time in your twelve year tall Black's career, you'll
be captain. Was there something you were expecting?
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Honestly, not really. I've been saying like they probably just
gave it to the old grumpy guy on the team.
But it's definitely been an honor. It's something that I'm
definitely proud to hold. I've had some great leaders to
learn from my twelve years with the toll Blacks, So
I think for me, it's just kind of not reinventing
(05:47):
anything different and just kind of sticking to what I
what I know, And I think it's also just giving
other guys more more of a voice as well, Like
it's not just me like I do have the captaincy
have but we are everyone has a voice in this team.
So yeah, what.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Are your ambitions for the Asia Cup?
Speaker 3 (06:05):
Oh, for me, it's obviously to win and to get gold,
but also on top of that, like I want to
get as high as possible seed as we can because
that's only just going to help us get to the
World Cup and they could just get another stepping stone,
so hopefully the Olympics.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Well, that's all ahead. The immediate point of business for
you is the National Basketball League Final. Is that your
little girl who wears the headphones down one end and
then comes on to see you afterwards.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
Yeah, that's my little girl.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
Well, I know she'll be there. Are supporting dad on
the weekend as well. Jordan, great to chat mate. We'll
look forward to seeing how you get on against Southeak.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
Thank you. I appreciate it, No, appreciate.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
You chatting to us. Jordan Nuttai out of the Wellington Saints.
They take on the Southland Sharks this afternoon two thirty
tip off at TSB Bank Arena in Wellington in the
New Zealand National Basketball League Final for twenty twenty five.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk said B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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