Basketball: Breakers to start title defence on the road

Kirk Penney. Photo / Getty Images

The New Zealand Breakers will start their ANBL season on the road next season - playing the first four games of their title defence in Australia.

The Breakers open the season against the Gold Coast Blaze on Friday October 7 followed by games against Wollongong, Sydney and Melbourne.

Due to the Rugby World Cup the North Shore based club won't play their first home game until October 28 against the Sydney Kings.

Breakers General Manager Richard Clarke is happy with the draw and knew the start to the season would be difficult due to the Rugby World Cup, although a similar run of 4 out of 5 games away from home to end the season will also make things difficult.

"We have known for some time that given the scale of the Rugby World Cup and the fact that all eyes in the media will be on the end to that tournament that we would be better served off the court playing away from home in October and beginning our home programme post Rugby World Cup. Also logistically things like hotel rooms for visiting teams and broadcast teams are almost impossible during the Rugby World Cup.

"The delayed start to our home season will however give our fans, sponsors and corporate supporters the chance to bookmark that run of three home games in late October and early November to really get the season underway."

Head Coach Andrej Lemanis is taking his usual pragmatic approach, one that has helped the team to a positive road record for the past three seasons.

"In a perfect world we might not play the first four games on the road but the world is not perfect and we have to understand the impact that Rugby World Cup will have on Auckland and New Zealand at that time of the year.

"Regardless it doesn't matter when you play teams at home or away, you have to do it sometime during the season so it might as well be early. A road trip can often be a good thing for a group to focus and better understand the goals and aims for the season without some of the distractions of home. We'll make the most of it and look to start the season as we mean to go on with the goal of playing well each week, improving each week and getting ourselves in a position to win a championship."

The club is avoiding any talk of defending their title won in such spectacular fashion just a matter of weeks ago with Lemanis drawing a clear line in that regard.

"I don't believe in talk of defending a title, that doesn't make sense to me. No one can take away what this group achieved last season, we proved ourselves the best team in the championship and we have the rings to prove it.

"The history books won't be rewritten based on what happens this year in what is a completely new season with a clean slate. Our attitude has to be one of setting out to put ourselves in a position to win the championship that is in front of us, it has nothing to do with our achievement last season, that is already in the past."

What is yet to be decided for all home games is the choice of venue for the Breakers with Clarke hinting that some games at least might be taken to larger venues in Auckland.

"We are working through a number of issues regarding home venue for all of our games and hope to have confirmation in a week or so. What can be confirmed is that all of our home games will be in the Auckland region and the majority will be at the North Shore Events Centre.

"This allows us to plan and cater for our season ticket holders, sponsors and take corporate bookings for the entire season. Pre-season might see the Breakers on the road but for the season proper, we hope to confirm our home game venues very soon.

"We are talking to Vector Arena about the possibility of hosting some home games in the City, but will likely need to have some significant support from council and sponsors to make this work commercially. We are already in discussions about this, and there is a very positive mood about trying to make this happen."

Regardless of that confirmation, fans are encouraged to purchase their season tickets now to confirm the best seats for the entire season and in doing so put themselves in the best position to take advantage of any play off opportunities that may come along should the Breakers once again enjoy post season basketball.

- HERALD ONLINE