Posted on Saturday, June 6th, 2026
Game Preview: Whai vs Giants
The Northern Group Tauranga Whai return to Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre on Saturday afternoon looking to build on their best result in weeks, while the NBS Nelson Giants arrive in Tauranga with momentum of their own after a much-needed road win over less than 48 hours ago.
Both sides come into this contest with renewed belief. The Whai broke a six-game losing streak last time out, with Reuben Te Rangi producing a dominant performance and Jordan Ngatai adding the veteran composure the group needed down the stretch. The Giants, meanwhile, found a spark through new import Shane Gatling, whose second game in Nelson colours showed exactly how much he can change the shape of their offence.
With less than half the season to go both teams are looking for a momentum boosting victory that will keep them in touch distance of the finals chase, the team that falls short will find themselves looking up from the bottom rungs of the ladder.
When: Saturday 6 June, Rapid League 3.00pm, Sal’s NBL 4.00pm
Where: Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre, Tauranga
Watch: Sky Sport 2 in New Zealand, ESPN+ in the United States and FIBA YouTube everywhere else
Commentary: Maia Williamson and Tom Ingham
Last Time Out
The Whai snapped their six-game losing streak with a 94-88 win over the Big Barrel Hawke’s Bay Hawks.
Tauranga started well, building an early lead behind the shot-making of Reuben Te Rangi, but the Hawks kept coming. With Dan Grida back in the lineup and Jackson Ball, Chase Jeter and Keanu Rasmussen all making plays, Hawke’s Bay stayed within reach and threatened to steal the result late.
But the Whai had enough veteran control to close it out. Te Rangi was outstanding, Taine Murray gave Tauranga another scoring punch, and Jordan Ngatai’s presence helped settle the home side in the key moments. A crucial missed look from the Hawks gave Tauranga the breathing room it needed to finish the job as they finally put an end to a 6 game losing streak.
The Northern Group Tauranga Whai 94: Reuben Te Rangi (37p, 8r, 4a), Taine Murray (17p, 7r, 2s), Jordan Ngatai (12p, 6r, 2s)
Big Barrel Hawke’s Bay Hawks 88: Jackson Ball (22p, 3r, 2a), Chase Jeter (20p, 13r, 4a), Dan Grida (17p, 4r, 2a, 2s)
The Giants claimed an vital 94-85 road win over the Big Barrel Hawke’s Bay Hawks.
Both teams were coming off losses they wanted to forget, and both started with urgency. Hawke’s Bay’s stars found their rhythm early, but the Giants stayed connected through strong team play before Shane Gatling sparked a 9-0 run that brought Nelson back into the contest.
Gatling had 19 points by halftime, matching the scoring burst from Keanu Rasmussen, while Chase Jeter’s first-half double-double gave the Hawks a strong interior presence. But after the break, the Giants found another gear. Hawke’s Bay battled back to tie the game with five minutes left, but Nelson steadied late. A quick five-point burst from Alex McNaught helped turn a five-point lead into 10, and the Giants had enough control to close out the road win as they snapped a
Big Barrel Hawks 85: Keanu Rasmussen (28p, 7r, 7a), Chase Jeter (13p, 13r, 5a), Dan Grida (15p, 7r, 5a, 3s)
NBS Nelson Giants 94: Kruz Perrott-Hunt (27p, 15r, 5a, 2s), Shane Gatling (29p, 2a), Alex McNaught (15p, 6r, 4a)
What to Expect
Projected Starters
The Northern Group Tauranga Whai
G: Nick Stoddart
G: Taine Murray
F: Jordan Ngatai
F: Reuben Te Rangi
C: Nic Tata
NBS Nelson Giants
G: Alex McNaught
G: Kruz Perrott-Hunt
G: Liam Judd
F: Eemi Luukkonen
C: Tohi Smith-Milner
The Whai have the top-end offensive talent to trouble anyone. Te Rangi is scorching the nets with good efficiency, Murray is right behind him with scoring punch while staying efficient from deep, while Stoddart gives Tauranga another steady scoring option who can also facilitate. Ngatai’s arrival added another layer of experience, decision-making, leadership and a small dose of badly needed size, which were all key contributions to the win over Hawke’s Bay.
Tauranga’s issue has been consistency. The Whai are efficient when they get quality looks from the field, beyond three of the charity stipe. But they have struggled to control the glass and haven’t created enough offense with the pass. Against a Giants team that just punished Hawke’s Bay with multiple scorers and 55 rebounds, the Whai will need to compete physically for the full 40 minutes.
Nelson has a different feel now that Gatling is in the lineup. In just two games, he is averaging 27.5 points and shooting 50 percent from three. His scoring has given the Giants a second high-level perimeter weapon next to Perrott-Hunt, who is coming off his best performance of the year. That pairing immediately makes Nelson harder to guard
The Giants are still trying to lift their overall offensive efficiency, but they have strengths that can bother the Whai. They’ve been solid with their shooting, both from deep and the free throw line, and have been playing solid defense beyond the arc while still maintaining control of the glass. If they can control the glass once again and get enough shot-making from Gatling, Perrott-Hunt, Judd and McNaught, they can make this a difficult afternoon for the home side.
The key pressure point is simple: Tauranga needs to score efficiently and limit Nelson’s second-chance opportunities, while Nelson needs to turn its improved offensive balance into a consecutive road performance.
Matchup to Watch: Reuben Te Rangi and Jordan Ngatai v Liam Judd and Eemi Luukkonen
Te Rangi and Ngatai give the Whai a veteran pairing that can settle the game when it starts to tighten. Te Rangi is coming off a dominant 37-point performance and has been one of the most efficient scorers in the league, while Ngatai’s arrival has given Tauranga another calm decision-maker who can defend, rebound, pass and hit timely shots. Together, they give the Whai a combination of poise and physicality that can shape the game at both ends.
For Nelson, Judd and Luukkonen offer an important counter. Judd gives the Giants size and shot-making, while Luukkonen brings strength, efficiency, rebounding and the ability to finish through contact. In the win over Hawke’s Bay, Nelson’s headline performances came from Kruz Perrott-Hunt and Shane Gatling, but the Giants will need Judd and Luukkonen to keep the offence balanced if Tauranga sends extra attention to those scorers.
The key question is whether Judd and Luukkonen can make the Whai’s veterans work defensively. If Judd is knocking down shots and Luukkonen is active on the glass, Nelson can stretch Tauranga’s rotation and create more room for Gatling and Perrott-Hunt. But if Te Rangi and Ngatai control the tempo, use their experience to find good looks and help Tauranga stay organised in the half court late in the clock, the Whai can put real pressure on a Giants team still looking for consistency late in games.
This matchup may not be the loudest on the stat sheet, but it could decide which team gets the steadier minutes around its main scorers. If Te Rangi and Ngatai win the battle, Tauranga will protect home court. If Judd and Luukkonen provide the stronger support, Nelson’s road momentum may just continue.
Matchup to Watch: Taine Murray v Shane Gatling
Murray gives Tauranga elite perimeter firepower. He is averaging 21.2 points and has made 32 threes at 41 percent, ranking among the league’s best shooters. When he is aggressive early, the Whai spacing opens up and defenders are forced to make difficult decisions around Te Rangi, Stoddart and Ngatai.
Gatling has wasted no time making his presence felt for the Giants. Across his first two games, he has averaged 27.5 points, hit 7 threes at 50 percent, and gone a perfect 16-of-16 from the free throw line. His ability to score off the dribble and punish defensive mistakes gives Nelson a dynamic option they badly needed.
For Tauranga, the job is to make Gatling work for everything. He has already shown he can catch fire, so the Whai cannot let him settle into clean pull-ups or rhythm threes. For Nelson, Gatling’s presence should help open more room for Perrott-Hunt and Judd, especially if Tauranga has to start sending extra attention his way.
If Murray wins the shot-making battle, the Whai can stretch the Giants’ defence. If Gatling keeps rolling, Nelson’s offence becomes much more dangerous than its season averages suggest.
Matchup to Watch: Nic Tata v Tohi Smith-Milner
Tata gives Tauranga efficiency, size and finishing around the rim. He is shooting 70 percent from the field and averaging 6.1 rebounds, but the Whai will need him to be active early against a Giants frontcourt that can pull defenders into different areas of the floor.
Smith-Milner brings experience, passing and rebounding for Nelson. He is averaging 10.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists, and his ability to operate as a connector gives the Giants an important frontcourt hub. He can step out, move the ball and create space for cutters and shooters.
This matchup is also important because of Tauranga’s rebounding numbers. The Whai sit last in rebounds per game and defensive rebounding percentage, while Nelson is fourth in rebounding and third in defensive rebounds. Tata does not need to dominate the scoring, but he does need to help Tauranga compete on the glass and limit Nelson’s second chances.
If Tata protects the paint and gives the Whai efficient touches inside, Tauranga becomes harder to load up against. If Smith-Milner controls the boards and helps Nelson flow offensively, the Giants can dictate the physical tone.
Individual Leaders
Category
The Northern Group Tauranga Whai
NBS Nelson Giants
Leading scorer
Reuben Te Rangi 25.5
Shane Gatling 27.5
Leading rebounder
Nic Tata 6.1
Tohi Smith-Milner 7.8
Leading assists
Nicholas Stoddart 4.7
Alex McNaught 5.4
Best FG%
Nic Tata 70%
Eemi Luukkonen 52%
Best 3PT FG%
Xanda Marsters 50%
Shane Gatling 50%
Blocks
Taine Murray 0.6
Tohi Smith-Milner 0.9
Steals
Nicholas Stoddart 2.3
McNaught / Perrott-Hunt 1.4
Minutes
Taine Murray 35.1
Kruz Perrott-Hunt 32.7
Stats that Matter (League Rankings)
Stat
The Northern Group Tauranga Whai
NBS Nelson Giants
Points Per Game
86.9 (8th)
86.3 (9th)
Points Allowed Per Game
93.7 (8th)
92.2 (6th)
Scoring Margin
-6.8 (8th)
-5.9 (7th)
Field Goal %
47% (5th)
42% (11th)
Field Goal % Defence
49% (10th)
45% (6th)
Free Throw %
75% (1st)
75% (2nd)
3-Point %
36% (3rd)
31% (7th)
3-Point % Defence
36% (10th)
31% (2nd)
3-Point FG Made
9.1 (7th)
10.5 (5th)
Rebounds Per Game
34.8 (11th)
42.3 (4th)
Rebounding Margin
-5.3 (11th)
-1.6 (9th)
Offensive Rebounds Per Game
7.0 (10th)
9.0 (9th)
Defensive Rebounds Per Game
24.1 (11th)
28.6 (3rd)
Offensive Rebound %
22% (10th)
24% (9th)
Defensive Rebound %
68% (11th)
73% (7th)
Assists Per Game
16.7 (11th)
17.5 (10th)
Steals Per Game
7.7 (6th)
6.6 (9th)
Blocks Per Game
1.8 (11th)
2.3 (10th)
Turnover Margin
-0.7 (7th)
-1.3 (9th)
Assist/Turnover Ratio
1.39 (8th)
1.38 (10th)
Last Word
Both teams needed their last win, and both now have a chance to stretch that momentum out to make it mean a bit more.
For the Whai, the formula starts with Te Rangi and Murray. If Te Rangi continues his efficient scoring and Murray stretches the floor, Tauranga can score enough to control the game. Ngatai’s presence gives them another calm decision-maker, while Stoddart and Tata both have important roles in keeping the offence balanced.
For the Giants, Gatling has changed the conversation. His scoring gives Nelson another player who can break a game open, and it takes pressure off Perrott-Hunt to create everything. If McNaught controls the tempo, Judd hits shots, and Smith-Milner and Luukkonen help Nelson win the rebounding battle, the Giants can carry their Hawke’s Bay momentum into another road result.
The key impact may come on the glass. Nelson has been far stronger on the boards, while Tauranga has been one of the league’s most efficient shooting teams. That means this game could come down to whether the Whai make enough first-shot offence, or whether the Giants create enough extra possessions to wear them down.
Tauranga has home court and renewed confidence. Nelson may be on the road but will also feel confident after its first road win. Today’s game will tell us which team will keep the momentum going and which will need to start searching again.