KEY POINTS:
The Tall Blacks have suffered a setback with the withdrawal of Saints forward Brendon Polyblank on the eve of their Ramsay Shield opener against Australia.
Polyblank helped his team to last week's National Basketball League finals and seemed set to end a four-year absence from the national team.
But as the squad assembled in Auckland to prepare for their last-ditch Olympic qualifying campaign, Polyblank told coach Nenad Vucinic he had aggravated a foot injury and could not take his place on the roster.
Vucinic does not intend replacing Polyblank. "Brendon's withdrawal has merely opened up some doors for others," he said.
The biggest beneficiary should be rookie Corey Webster, 19, who was initially chosen for experience and may now see extended court time.
Polyblank's departure reduces the squad to 12 for the series against Australia with now just one to be cut before they head to Canada on Sunday.
That casualty will be either Casey Frank or Nick Horvath, who are competing for the one naturalised spot available in the lineup.
The Tall Blacks face the Boomers at the North Shore Events Centre on Thursday night before heading to Melbourne for the rematch on Saturday.
- NZPA
