Basketball New Zealand

Australian Opal Emily McInerny (John Cowpland)

World champion Australia Opals coach Jan Stirling has named an intriguing mix of youth and experience for the FIBA Oceania Championships in Dunedin later this month.

Just two players - forwards Emily McInerny and Emma Randall - have returned from the roster that won the world title last year, but three were on the Sapphires squad that finished runners-up at the 2007 FIBA World U21 Championships.

ìItís a pretty strong team,î assesses NZ Tall Ferns coach Mike McHugh, who is preparing his outfit to face the Opals on September 26. ìTheyíve got a couple of young kids in there, so theyíre obviously looking to the future.

ìBut they also have a high degree of experience, some tremendously athletic talent and good shooters.î

Australia have already qualified for the Beijing Olympics and their programme this year has been aimed at developing their deep pool of talent to compete for spots on next yearís roster. Even without superstars Lauren Jackson and Penny Taylor, they have assembled a formidable line-up, most of which is currently touring Europe and the United States.

Veteran forward Michelle Brogan (34) has already won medals at two Olympics - Atlanta 1996 & Sydney 2000 - and is staging a comeback after dropping out of the sport in recent years. Guard Alicia Poto and forward Natalie Porter won silver medals at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

At the other end of the experience scale, Kathleen MacLeod, Renae Camino and forward Abby Bishop were silver medalists at the international U21 event, while centre Marianna Tolo (18) was a member of the U19 Gems that finished fifth at their world championships.

Guard Sam Richards was also on the Australian team that claimed gold at last monthís World University Games.

ìThis team should get us the results we need while a number of players will be challenged by the international competition,î says Stirling.

ìWe have provided a good number of athletes with the opportunity to demonstrate how they can adjust to the international game and we expect New Zealand will be very tough on their home soil.î

McHugh likens this Opals squad to the one that contested the last Oceania Championships in 2005, where his young squad finished within eight points - the Fernsí best ever result against Australia - in Game Two at Napier.

ìThe real test will be for us to get improved performances,î he says. ìIt would be nice to get another eight-point result Ö or better.

ìWe will only get two opportunities this time, whereas in a three-game series, you can sometimes pinch one or get really close.

ìThat first game will be our best opportunity to get a good result Ö it may be harder once theyíve settled in for a week.î

South Pacific champions Fiji will join New Zealand and Australia at the Oceania Championships from September 26-29. With the Aussies already assure of an Olympic berth, the next best team will claim the zone spot and the third team face the pre-Games repechage tournament next June.

Average height: 1.81m
Average age: 24.6

Head coach Jan Stirling
Assistant coach Gary Fox
Physiotherapist Jennifer Black
Doctor Scott Burne
Massage therapist Diana Glazer
Technician Luke Gallagher
Team manager Marian Stewart

2007 FIBA Oceania Championship Draw

Edgar Centre, Dunedin

Wednesday, September 26
NZ Tall Ferns v Australian Opals, 7.30pm

Thursday, September 27
Australian Opals v Fiji, 7.30pm

Friday, September 28
NZ Tall Ferns v Fiji, 7.30pm

Saturday, September 29
Final (First v Second), 7.30pm