Boomers qualify for World Champs
 |
Australia's Wade Helliwell during a lay-up against the Tall Blacks in Game One on Wednesday.
Photo © Jim Helsel Photography |
The Australian Boomers have taken the 2005 Oceania Series over New Zealand, winning the second match in the
best-of-three-series in Manukau on Saturday afternoon, 82-71.
This gives the Australians the number one Oceania seeding in next year’s World Championships in Japan.
In a close match, the Aussies put everything they have been working towards for the past month together, to
provide a great show of basketball.
After leading for most of the match, Australia let the Kiwis past them in the final quarter, and were one
point down with five minutes to go. With three minutes to go in the match, the Aussies were only one point in
front, but managed to push ahead in the final stages to take the 11-point win.
“The guys really accepted their roles in this match and played tough at the defensive end,” Boomers coach
Brian Goorjian said.
“The Kiwis gave it all they had today, but we put together a great performance which we have been working
towards over the past month.”
While Athens Olympians Glen Saville (20), CJ Bruton (16) and Matt Nielsen (14) showed why they are the
backbone of the Australian team; the surprise packet of this series has been the outstanding performances
from Victorian centre Wade Helliwell (14).
“Helliwell has been the emerging star of this international season,” Goorjian said.
“We put him in as a last minute inclusion after a couple of others weren’t available for the season and
it’s really turned out well. He has proved his worth on the international stage.”
The next match of the series is to be played in Dunedin at 3pm on Sunday afternoon.
| Quarter time: | Australia 18 - 20 New Zealand |
| Half time: | Australia 34 - 29 New Zealand |
| Three Quarter time: | Australia 57 - 47 New Zealand |
| Full time: | Australia 82 - 71 New Zealand |
2005 Jeep Oceania Men's Championships:
New Zealand vs Australia
Wednesday, August 17 - Trust Stadium, Waitakere :: Aus won 82-69
Today – Telstra Clear Pacific Events, Manukau :: Aus won 82-71
Sunday, August 21 – Edgar Centre, Dunedin, 3:00pm*
*New Zealand is two hours ahead of Australian Eastern Standard Time.
Note: All start times are local.
Related Articles:
Boomers take first blood in Oceania Series (Wed Aug 17)
Boomers touch down in NZ ahead of Oceania Champs (Tues Aug 16)
| 
