Game Preview: Pouākai v Kāhu 19/10/24

Home, here we come! Fresh off their first win of the season, our Pouākai return to HQ for a thrilling home opener versus the reigning champs, the Northern Kāhu.

Before we break it down, I’d be remiss not to mention that there are limited tickets available for tomorrow night, so get in quick!

Couldn’t find the time to watch our last game? Read everything you need to know about our Southern road trip here.


Game Info

Saturday, October 19th, 2024. 

Rapid League: 4:00 PM. Tauihi: 5:00pm.

Cowles Stadium, Christchurch.

Purchase Tickets!

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


Match-Up History

As we all know, last season’s Grand Final winners were no joke. In our season series with them, the Kāhu took the lead, winning it 3-zip.

Despite the lopsided appearance, last season’s Pouākai found a nice groove on offence against the champs. Our 80.3 point per game average versus the Kāhu was second only to our series against the Hoiho, which included a 102-point explosion.

Even though our pace and efficiency were up, physicality was ultimately the separating factor. Head-to-head, the Kāhu achieved an average of 25.7 free throw attempts while the Pouākai eclipsed just 16.3 per game. 

There is no need to fret though! Optimism is to be had as the Pouākai shot a flawless 24-24 from the stripe versus the Hoiho last weekend. Look for the Pouākai to bring that same aggressiveness attacking the basket on Saturday.


The Hot Topic: A Demonstration of Distribution

If you’re a fan of dime dropping and needle threading, you’re in for a treat! The Pouākai and Kāhu come into this match #1 and #2 in assists per game at 19.5 and 18.3, respectively. Team work truly makes the dream work for these two squads.

On the Pouākai side, the ball has been fizzing baseline-to-baseline courtesy of Mikhaela Cann whose unselfish play has her leading the league with 9.5 apg. Her ability to push the pace has kept Mainland energised and their opponents on their toes in both the halfcourt and open floor.

Cann isn’t the only Mainland player racking up assists, as McKenzie Forbes’ 5.0 average has her tied for second place league-wide. Forbes provided some excellent creation in the pick-and-roll last week. It’ll be great to see how she works off the ball screen against the Kāhu’s double-big lineup of Penina Davidson and IImar’I Thomas.

Neck-and-neck on the assist ladder with Forbes is Krystal Leger-Walker of the Kāhu. The all-time Tauihi assist leader has played an integral role in the Kāhu’s offence for the past couple of seasons, keeping her teammates involved and the scoreboard ticking over. Australian import Chloe Forster has also been a bright spot for the Kāhu in the guard department, supplying another 3.7 apg to go with her 14.0 ppg.


Injury Report (as of 18/10/24)

Mainland Pouākai
OUT – Cassandra Brown
OUT – Abby Cubillo


Northern Kāhu
OUT – Mary Goulding
OUT – Stephanie Bairstow


Join Us Tomorrow Night

There are limited tickets left ahead of tomorrow’s clash with the Kāhu. Come along and bring the noise to Cowles Stadium!

Purchase tickets here!