Basketball: Tall Blacks test in Napier

Australian Andrew Bogut in action for Utah.

The Tall Blacks are facing a stern challenge if they want to repeat their past success against Australia in tomorrow night's opening basketball test against the Boomers in Napier.

One ominous sign for the kiwis will be the appearance in the opposition of star NBA forward Andrew Bogut, who says he's feeling fresh and is ready to inflict pain on his trans-Tasman rivals.

Bogut admits it has been a busy 12 months since being named the NBA draft's number one pick, but he says he is ready and hungry for more.

He says he took some time off when he arrived back in Australia after the just completed NBA season so he has had a little break and is not feeling fatigued.

The four-match series is part of the team's build up to the World Champs in Japan next month.

- NEWSTALK ZB