Basketball: 'It sucks' - Henare misses trip to Australia

Paul Henare

Paul Henare is out of the Tall Blacks team to play a tournament in Australia next week, and missing those games could cost him a start in the Oceania series against the Boomers.

Henare is one of a trio of key players carrying injuries.

The point guard and the man who will replace him, Lindsay Tait, collided heavily at a Breakers training session at the end of last week, leaving Henare with deep bruising to the left thigh where Tait's knee landed.

It was hoped he would repair with time and physio, but an MRI scan has revealed deep tissue damage and the medics have told Henare to do no work for a fortnight or risk months, rather than weeks, out.

He will be kept in the camp to keep him familiar with the systems and for his experience and input.

Coach Tab Baldwin conceded yesterday that it would be difficult for Henare to force his way into the side after the four-game away trip and before the three tests in Henderson, Manukau and Dunedin this month.

"We will keep reassessing his situation, but it looks like he will be off for a considerable time.

"He's tough, he keeps himself in good shape and he's smart. I know how much it means to him to play for his country and I feel a lot of disappointment for him."

Mark "Sparky" Dickel will fly to Perth on Monday night, the day before the Tall Blacks' first game of the tournament against China. Although he has been a team regular for six years, he is unlikely to be thrown immediately in to start.

Henare, 26, has been part of every Tall Blacks campaign since 1999.

"It sucks," he said yesterday of his role as ball-boy. He bore no malice towards Tait and hoped he played well.

"It's just one of those things that happens in sport. I'm sure Lindsay will take his chance."

Tait, 23, has a handful of tests behind him, all from the bench, after making his debut against the Czech Republic in 2003.

He was relaxed about the probability he was about to step up. "I don't see it as pressure, I'm looking forward to the chance."

Of the collision, he said: "I don't even remember it, to be honest."

Baldwin admitted there would be some disruption to the game plan.

"It affects us, but I have to say Lindsay has been doing a great job ... so the loss of Pauli will not be as devastating as it might have been. We're blessed with three very good point guards."

United States-born Kiwi resident Ed Book was confident of making the trip to Australia to play China, Lithuania and the host country, as well as the Oceania series, despite an on-going niggling calf injury.

He admitted he was weakened, but was confident that playing an increasing part in training this week would fix that.

The other injury concern is over captain Pero Cameron, who has long been troubled by a calf injury.

He is also to have a scan to determine the exact extent of the injury, but he is not considered at risk of missing the upcoming games.

Baldwin said Cameron and star shooting guard Phill Jones looked tired after multiple back-to-back seasons, but he had seen plenty of spark from both and believed they would step up against the Australians. Jones was looking very sharp with his shooting.

Kirk Penney had dropped weight, which had improved his athleticism and had widened his range of shots during time with the Milwaukee Bucks, Baldwin said.

Tall Blacks games

Tuesday, Aug 9: v China, Perth.

Wednesday, Aug 10: v Lithuania, Perth.

Friday, Aug 12: v Australia, Sydney.

Sunday, Aug 14: v Lithuania, Sydney.