Sir Peter Leitch’s Mad Butcher Club AT MT SMART STADIUM, HOME OF THE MIGHTY VODAFONE WARRIORS 12 March 2015 Newsletter #63 To subscribe or unsubscribe email: [email protected] Well Done Breakers Photos courtesy of www.photosport.co.nz HE NZ Breakers know how to get your ticker working. The last second buzzer-beater that nailed their Tfourth ABL title was one of the best pieces of sporting theatre I have seen in a long time. The Cairns Taipans went into the finals series as the favourites, but the Breakers did what few expected and beat them on their home court in game one, meaning they could wrap it up in Auckland with a second win in the three game series. But Cairns fought hard and it was not until the final second that the winning shot went up, and I would defy anyone to name a more thrilling game of late. If you were watching, you must have been on the edge of your seat. It was utterly unbelievable. The NZ Breakers Take Out Their 4th ANBL Title in 5 years By John Deaker HE NZ Breakers beat the Cairns Taipans 83-81 on Sunday night to seal their 4th ANBL title in 5 years - Tand the dramatic style with which they pulled off their latest Championship victory meant they were able to receive the sort of plaudits they deserve. With Cricket’s World Cup taking centre-stage and the Warriors’ season kicking off at the weekend there was a chance the Breakers’ moment of glory might not get the attention it deserved. Ekene Ibekwe had other plans though – and his stunning buzzer beater to close out the match ensured there was just as much excitement amongst players and fans after this win as there’s been after many of their other title victories. Importantly, wrapping the series up in 2 games meant the team could seal the victory over the Cairns Taipans on home turf where they were not only able to get better media coverage of their victory but they also get to celebrate in front of their passionate home crowd. The value of celebrating the win in front of their loyal fans shouldn’t be lost. The Breakers’ successful culture they’ve built up means they’ve become immensely impor- tant to New Zealand basketball. It can be strongly argued that the club’s role has become even more impor- tant than that of the Tall Blacks to New Zealand basketball - and certainly they rival the Tall Blacks in the role of presenting the shop-window of NZ Basketball. Last year the Tall Blacks head coach Nenad Vucinic emphasized how important the Breakers’ role is. “The Breakers Academy has certainly been one of the main factors for our increase in quality player develop- ment in New Zealand,” he said. “The fact that the Academy players can train with top level players through- out the year is the major factor.” It’s clear that within particularly the Auckland area where the Breakers are based that they are very influential in getting young players in to basketball and also keeping them in the sport. Before the Breakers came along in 2003 people may have been more inclined to give the game up if they couldn’t obtain a scholarship with an American University. Now there is not only the incentive of being involved with the Breakers but basketball is much more consistently discussed within communities and within the New Zealand media. Any analysis of the clubs 4th title in 5 years should also include a look at how the club has made such huge strides since entering the ANBL for the first time back in the 2003/4 season. It’s very easy to forget the lean years the team had ; It wasn’t until Kirk Penney came on board in 2007/8 that the club made the playoffs for the first time. Last year’s drop to seventh place in the league after pulling off the three-peat between 2011 and 2013 was a cruel reminder of those poor years the club had initially had. The return of Cedric Jackson undoubtedly made a big difference this season ; Even the best coaches struggle to win titles without good cattle to work with. Coach Dean Vickerman was also able to prove he’d learnt from his first season in charge during the 2013/2014 season – and of course he showed that he’d learnt from Andrej Lemanis what it took to not only make a Final but win a Championship during the period when he’d assisted him to the three-peat. Finding fresh motivation for next year might now be a challenge for Vickerman and his team. Winning is a habit though – and the Breakers culture has now been firmly established as one that expects success. Beating Australians at anything is something no New Zealander should ever take for granted. Maybe watching some of the local Blues’ rugby games in the off-season will be enough of a reminder to everyone in the club that they should do everything they can to retain that winning habit - because the losing one is no fun for anyone. Photos courtesy of www.photosport.co.nz Mad Butcher Club Newsletter Page 2 Injury Disrupted Our Plans If I’m honest, it was probably a In the Monday night game a Josh case of rocks and diamonds for Dugan ankle injury made it even ETTER to get your bad luck Shaun Johnson. Sometimes he worse for St George, beaten 12-4 Bearly I say. The Vodafone was good, sometimes great, and by Melbourne. Warriors’ plans were hampered by at other times he did not have one injury with fullback Sam Tomkins for the highlights reel. Team Announced and would-be debutant wing Ken Maumalo ruled out by hamstring So my beloved Vodafone Warriors Jonathan Wright will make his injuries. Earlier in the week prop went down again. We have only club debut and Sam Tomkins is Sam Rapira also joined the inju- ever won five opening day match- back from injury in two changes ry list, and the game was only 15 es - disappointing. for the Vodafone Warriors’ en- minutes in when centre Konrad counter with the Raiders in Can- Hurrell went to the sideline with a The consensus seems to be that berra on Sunday (8.30pm NZT). leg injury, causing a major reshuf- there were good signs on display fle. though, with a fitter looking side Wright is named on the right wing showing some glimpses of really and Tomkins is back at fullback. Simon Mannering and Ben Henry exciting footy. Let’s hope so. both had to play in the centres and The selection sees Tuimoala Lolo- Solomone Kata, who had trained What can you say on the other hea being switched to the centres to start in the centres, pushed out hand about Souths? They won the for the injured Konrad Hurrell, to the wing. grand final last year against the where he will partner Solomone Bulldogs 30-6, came to Auckland Kata. That said, our debutant props and won the Nines 18-14 over the Albert Vete and Sam Lisone went Sharks, went to England for the Utility Ben Henry reverts to the well in a very punishing outing. World Club Championship and interchange bench along with smashed St Helens 39-0 and then veteran hooker Nathan Friend Chad Townsend’s 40-20 kick led to demolished the Brisbane Broncos and rookie props Sam Lisone and Thomas Leuluai scoring, but it was in round one 36-6. If that is not a Albert Vete. Dropping out of the probably not one of Chad’s better team riding a wave of confidence squad is prop Suaia Matagi with games. I do not know what is. They are, ex-Canberra outside back Matt in my humble opinion, the over- Allwood named 18th man. Thomas copped a nasty head whelming favourites to win back- wound scoring the try, but he nev- to-back titles this year. Wright, who was completing a er stopped trying. three-game suspension last week, The Roosters might have some- is set to become the third of the Tuimoala Lolohea, coming in for thing to say about it, winning very major recruits to make his club Tomkins, was brilliant in the first well in North Queensland, putting debut as Vodafone Warrior No half and almost scored a sen- the Cowboys to the sword 28-4, 198. He was signed in December sational second half try, gassing and Manly are never far off the after amassing 91 appearances some pretty quick Knights players pace either, although they were for the Eels, Bulldogs and Sharks along the way. smashed by a resurgent Eels 42-12 since his debut in 2009. in a result no one saw coming. Manu Vatuvei made huge breaks Vodafone Warriors assistant coach and was sound all round, and I The Tigers beat the Titans 19-18 Tony Iro said Hurrell was still in thought Nathan Friend was one of in the last minute of their game. I a lot of discomfort from the left our best coming off the bench. think the Titans did well when you knee injury he received in the consider all the problems lurking Newcastle contest. Ryan Hoffman didn’t take long at that club. The Panthers beat the to get his name on the Warriors Bulldogs 24-18 and the Raiders The Vodafone Warriors will start try-scorers list, and his fellow new got home 24-20 over the Sharks, with the same pack used against recruit Bodene Thompson ran which is all we need, because the the Knights, a combination packed himself into the ground too.