Game Preview: Kāhu v Pouākai 25/10/24

Long time no see, Northern Kāhu! Jokes aside, a 6-day turnaround is about as quick as it gets when it comes to rematches in Tauihi. 

After clipping the Kāhu’s wings in front of a roaring Christchurch crowd, the Mainland Pouākai head into enemy territory to try and secure another win over the reigning champs. 

Read up on all the twists and turns of our victory over the Northern Kāhu last week by checking out our game recap.


Game Info

Friday, October 25th, 2024. 

Rapid League: 6:30 PM. Tauihi: 7:30pm.

Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland.

Watch live on Sky Sport 2 (NZ), ESPN3 (USA), FIBA YouTube (Globally)


Match-Up History

Evidently, we’re working with some fresh data having played the Kāhu just last week. In analysing our previous game, let’s peruse the box score and focus on recapping three relevant statistical categories: offensive rebounds, three-pointers made, and free throws attempted.

Entering round 4, the Pouākai lead Tauihi in offensive rebounds per game at 13.7. Saturday saw another convincing performance on the o-boards by the Pouākai, collecting 15 to the Kāhu’s 5. Those 15 offensive rebounds generated 18 second chance points, dwarfing the Kāhu’s mark of 7. While nearly every Mainland player was getting in on the party, it was Esra McGoldrick who led the way hauling in 6 offensive rebounds. 

The pace-and-space Pouākai shot a scorching 48% from deep last weekend, landing 12 of their 25 attempts. Conversely, the Kāhu couldn’t quite keep up with the Pouākai’s clip, making just 7 three-pointers on the night at a still respectable 35%. Mainland won by committee on the three-point front, with McKenzie Forbes and Mikhaela Cann draining three each, and Haliegh Reinoehl and Sharne Robati scoring another 2 each. Tahlia Tupaea did the heavy lifting for the Kāhu, being responsible for 4 of the team’s 7 makes. 

Lastly, let’s take a look at those free throw attempt numbers. In our game preview for the first Pouākai v Kāhu game, we noted that the Kāhu have historically held a strong advantage over us in this area. We also acknowledged the Pouākai’s sublime 24-24 shooting from the charity stripe versus the Hoiho, which gave us a sense of optimism leading into Saturday’s game. The girls stepped up to the challenge, keeping the free throw attempt differential within 5 which is a strong pass mark in my book considering the aforementioned dominance on the boards and from three!


The Hot Topic: What Adjustments Will Be Made?

Unlike previous games where I’ve had a key matchup in mind or a compelling trend to point out, this early season rematch instead has me asking a bevy of questions.

Will the Kāhu be able to wrap their heads around the defensive trickery Paul Flynn introduced last week? Clearly the creative defensive schemes Flynny threw at the Kāhu worked. For a team that usually wins on the merit of their depth, they struggled to find offensive momentum outside of IImar’I Thomas. I’m sure the Kāhu coaches have been hard at work dissecting film and conjuring counters for tomorrow night.

Do the Pouākai run their gameplan back? Yes, it worked a treat the first time round, but the art of surprise is an effective tool to have on deck. If you’re the Pouākai, do you double-down and try to replicate the same levels of success or do you add another unexpected string to your bow to keep the Kāhu guessing?

Speaking of that, Mainland has a new secret weapon up their sleeve in Aussie guard Abby Cubillo. How will Cubillo be incorporated into the rotation? Will the starters – particularly Cann – have even more energy with Cubillo lightening their load?


Injury Report (as of 24/10/24)

Mainland Pouākai
OUT – Cassandra Brown
QUESTIONABLE – Lauren Tewhata

Northern Kāhu
OUT – Mary Goulding


We’re Back Home on Sunday

The Southern Hoiho are in town this Sunday! Grab your friends and family and come support the Mainland Pouākai as we look to defend home court.

Purchase tickets here!

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