Baby Boomers smack the Crawl Blacks
TweetWE recognise you are desperately hanging out to know who won tonight's massive FIBA Asia Cup qualifier in Cairns from our long-standing trans-Tasman rivalry and we can merrily report that, yes indeed, basketball was the winner.
OK. Sorry about the cliche. If you read this, you know what a farce this was on FIBA's behalf because Australia couldn't send its real Boomers, nor New Zealand its real Tall Blacks.
So both nations sent their up-and-coming kids, making this inaugural showdown between the Baby Boomers and Crawl Blacks a fascinating insight into what the future holds for both nations.
Australia won 81-52 and fans at Cairns Pop-Up Arena thoroughly enjoyed it because every kid pulling on his national jersey played as if it truly meant something. Not the fixture, which was utter FIBA bullcrap. But representing your country. And that's just as it should be.
Fans had a treat as Dyson Daniels was on fire for 23 points and David Okwera (below) impressed with his athleticism.
Taine Murray led New Zealand with 14 points. And the game's only true warrior, Mika Vukona announced his retirement from international play.
The man has been a basketball ornament and his absence from the court will truly be missed. He is one of a kind.
AUSTRALIA 81 (Daniels 23, Smith 22, Okwera 12; Kenyon 10 rebs; Daniels 4 assts) d NEW ZEALAND 52 (Murray 14, O'Riley 12, Janssen 8; Janssen 9 rebs; O'Riley 5 assts) at Cairns Pop-Up Arena. Crowd: 1,614.
YOUNG AND OLD: Hunter Clarke puts a move on NZ warrior Mika Vukona.