Tall Blacks coach: Koreans 'exactly what we need' before Cup

Corey Webster. Photo / Alan Gibson

Tall Blacks coach Nenad Vucinic will again have to juggle injury concerns before tonight's third test against Korea on the North Shore.

Point guard Jarrod Kenny (ankle/foot) will remain on the sidelines after missing the first two games of the series, while centre Alex Pledger has been ruled out after he suffered a toe injury during Thursday's 76-75 upset loss in Tauranga.

Pledger went for scans yesterday and more will be known about his injury over the weekend.

Big man Nick Horvath, who tweaked his back during New Zealand's 102-69 game one victory in Wellington on Tuesday, was to be assessed today.

Given Horvath is competing with Casey Frank for the sole naturalised player spot on the Tall Blacks' roster for next month's World Cup in Spain, he's unlikely to be risked unless Vucinic feels confident the Manawatu Jet can finish a decent shift.

Vucinic had better news on Everard Bartlett who pulled up with a sore calf on Thursday but has recovered well, while forward Isaac Fotu, who missed game two with a stomach bug, is back on deck.

As New Zealand builds towards the World Cup, Vucinic won't be too bothered about having to rotate his squad so he can get a good look at every player, but he will also be mindful of trying to beat Korea on home soil.

Vucinic embraced the challenging series with the world No 31 team knowing he'll have to trim his squad from 17 to 12 for the tournament.

"This is really exactly what we need," he said. "We've got enough time to get our fitness level up. We have to get used to playing these international games because they're two levels above the New Zealand and Australian leagues."

Tall Blacks guard Corey Webster, who poured in a team-high 20 points from the bench in game two on Thursday, should feel comfortable in the North Shore Events Centre after his time with the Breakers.

"I'm looking forward to playing against Korea in front of my family and friends," he said. "All we can do is get better ... and come out strong."