Basketball: Tall Blacks will tackle Boomers head-on

Australia's Andrew Bogut. Photo / NZPA

They don't have the NBA star power that Australia boast, but New Zealand aren't feeling intimidated, vowing to be as physical as ever in today's Rio Olympics basketball qualifier in Melbourne.

With Andrew Bogut, Patty Mills, Matthew Dellavedova and Cameron Bairstow on their side, the Boomers are clear favourites to take out the opening leg of the two-game series at Rod Laver Arena.

Of the 21 Oceania series they've contested since 1971, the Tall Blacks have been outright winners only once - claiming the championship 2-1 in 2001. They also won in 2009, but on points after tying the series.

Coach Paul Henare admits beating Australia again is a long shot, but it's a situation they're familiar with.

"Whoever we play around the world we usually play as the underdog," he said. "Against the Boomers, especially, with the line-up they have. But I think we're more comfortable playing from this position."

Captain Mika Vukona, though, insists the Tall Blacks won't back down without a fight.

"We have a lot of respect for the Boomers," he said. "But ... I think we've got to take a page out of the Boomers' book - you've got to come in here with confidence and that's something as a group we really believe in ourselves. It's going to be one of those games where you're just going to ... make sure you go out and play hard."

Henare has the benefit of a squad that's been together for more than a month and a core group that plays for the NZ Breakers in the NBL.

Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis said the biggest challenge would be to not go "over the top" in front of a sold-out home crowd.

"We've got to ensure we play with a poise that's going to give us an opportunity to be successful."

The second leg will be played in Wellington on Tuesday. The winner of the series will qualify for Rio.

- AAP