Boomers hold off tough Kiwis in World Cup Qualifier

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Australia held firm in front of a sell out crowd at MyState Arena in Hobart, defeating New Zealand 84 to 79 in a tense FIBA World Cup Qualifier that lived up to a week of warnings from experts who had predicted a genuine contest. It was the first meeting between the trans-Tasman rivals in Hobart since 2006, and the Tall Blacks arrived intent on breaking a five year drought in FIBA competition on Australian soil.

The win was ultimately secured by two defining plays in the final minute. With Australia leading by a single point, William Hickey took command, rising on the right wing to drain a clutch three pointer that pushed the margin to four. Moments later Jack White produced the defensive play of the night, blocking Flynn Cameron at the rim to deny New Zealand any late hope.

Key Details

• Result Australia 84 d New Zealand 79
• When: Friday, 28th November 2025
• Where: MyState Bank Arena, Tasmania
• Attendance: 4,500

By the Numbers

• Jaylin Galloway (Australia) starred with 19 points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block in 32 minutes.
• Sam Mennenga (New Zealand) scored 19 points and had 10 rebounds in 21 minutes.

What Happened

Australia began strongly and led 27 to 24 at quarter time after using all 12 players in the opening period. The Boomers built an early lead of eight points, while the Tall Blacks relied heavily on Brisbane Bullets centre Tyrell Harrison, who came off the bench to score eight points with two rebounds. Local favourite Josh Bannan impressed immediately in his minutes at centre, and there was significant B League representation on both sides with Nick Kay, Keanu Pinder, and Yanni Wetzell all playing key early roles.

The second quarter belonged to New Zealand. Cameron lifted his aggression and the Tall Blacks imposed their size on the glass. Australia’s shooting cooled sharply and the side slumped to 1 from 8 from long range during the term. New Zealand surged on a 14 to 2 run to build a nine point buffer before Jaylin Galloway halted the momentum with back to back three pointers. Galloway, fresh from his MVP performance at the FIBA Asia Cup, was again a steadying presence, although New Zealand still won the period by nine points.

Angus Glover sparked Australia out of the half-time break. He drilled three triples in quick succession and forced an offensive foul on Finn Delany that sent the New Zealand forward to the bench with three fouls. Australia tightened its defence and responded with a 15 to 2 run to reclaim a seven point lead, only for the Tall Blacks to punch back with a 7 to 0 burst of their own. Sam Mennenga dominated in the paint throughout the quarter and helped New Zealand edge ahead 67 to 66 entering the final term.

Australia opened the fourth quarter with another burst, scoring seven unanswered points after an unsportsmanlike foul by Taylor Britt on White. White made both free throws and Glover added a three pointer as Britt left the court injured. As had been the pattern all night, the Tall Blacks countered and reduced the margin again, turning the final minutes into a tight contest before Hickey and White sealed the Australian victory.

The result positions Australia well in the broader qualification landscape. Sixteen teams compete in the Asia region across four pools, with seven advancing to the FIBA World Cup. Eighty nations are part of the qualification pathway worldwide, with thirty two ultimately progressing to the tournament.

The two sides will meet again on Monday in Wellington, where New Zealand will attempt to square the window on home soil.