Posted on Monday, April 27th, 2026
Game Preview: Saints vs Tuatara
Game Preview: Mills Albert Wellington Saints (1-2) v Jadcup Auckland Tuatara (3-0)
The Mills Albert Wellington Saints return home to close the long weekend needing a response, but they welcome one of the league’s most impressive early-season teams in the unbeaten Jadcup Auckland Tuatara.
Wellington has now dropped back-to-back games after opening the season with a dominant win over Manawatū, while Auckland has surged to 3-0 and are starting to look like one of the competition’s most complete outfits. The Saints still have plenty of firepower, but the Tuatara arrive with size, balance and a growing confidence that makes this one of the standout matchups of the round.
When: Monday 27 April, Rapid League 4.00pm, Sal’s NBL 5.00pm
Where: TSB Arena, Wellington
Watch: Live on Sky Sport 2
Commentary: Brenton Vannisselroy & Troy McLean
Last Time Out
The Saints were edged 97-95 by the Nelson Giants in a game they looked set to take control of before Nelson stormed back late. Akech Aliir was strong inside with 24 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, Elijah Pepper added 20 points, 3 rebounds and 8 assists, and Aubrey Chunga gave Wellington a huge boost off the bench with 14 points in 14 minutes. But Liam Judd’s career-high 34 points swung the game, and the Saints were left searching for answers down the stretch after giving up an 11-point fourth quarter lead leading to a second straight defeat.
The Tuatara stayed unbeaten with a 100-80 win over the Jets in Palmerston North. Auckland led by only one at halftime after struggling to find their form from deep early, but reached another gear in the second half to blow the game open. Zach Riley led the way with 28 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists, Tom Vodanovich added 27 points and 8 rebounds off the bench, and Rob Loe produced another all-round line with 16 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks.
Projected Starters
Mills Albert Wellington Saints
PG: Elijah Pepper
SG: Donte Ingram
SF: Carlin Davison (Questionable)
PF: Sam Gold
C: Akech Aliir
Jadcup Auckland Tuatara
PG: Josh Dilling
SG: Zach Riley
SF: KC Ioane
PF: Chris Johnson
C: Rob Loe
Wellington’s biggest question is health and stability around its core. Carlin Davison is listed as questionable with an Achilles issue, and while the Saints still have plenty of talent, his playmaking and versatility would be a significant loss if he is limited much less unavailable. Pepper continues to be one of the league’s premier perimeter threats, Ingram gives Wellington another scorer who can play with force in the paint or step outside, and Aliir has quietly put together a strong start to the season, but the Saints need to put it all together for a full 40 minutes for the first time since their season opener if they want to defend their home court.
Auckland, by contrast, looks increasingly settled. Dilling is controlling tempo, Riley has emerged as a genuine top-end two way threat, and the Johnson-Loe frontcourt pairing continues to give the Tuatara a massive edge in size, rebounding and interior skill. Add in Vodanovich and Wilkie off the bench, and Auckland already looks like a team that can hurt opponents in a variety of ways.
This game may come down to whether Wellington can keep Auckland from dictating the terms physically and tempo-wise. The Tuatara have the size to punish teams on the glass and the depth to keep pressure on for four quarters but still push the pace when needed. The Saints have more than enough shot creation to stay with them, but they cannot afford the defensive lapses and momentum swings that have hurt them in their last two outings.
Matchup to Watch: Elijah Pepper v Zach Riley
Pepper has been excellent to open the season, averaging 23.7 points, 7.3 assists and a league-best 3.67 steals per game. He is the Saints’ primary perimeter engine and gives them a scorer who can also create for others and if Davison is limited that responsibility increases. Riley, meanwhile, has been a huge part of Auckland’s unbeaten start, averaging 21.0 points while shooting 56 percent from the field, 47 percent from three and 89 percent from the line while playing high level defense on the opposition’s premiere perimeter threats.
If Pepper is able to control tempo and get to his spots while winning the physical battle, Wellington’s offence becomes much harder to contain. If Riley continues his ultra-efficient scoring and forces the Saints to send extra attention while keeping Pepper under wraps defensively, Auckland’s balance becomes a huge problem.
Matchup to Watch: Akech Aliir and Jordan Hunt v Rob Loe and Chris Johnson
Aliir and Hunt give Wellington size, athleticism, finishing and inside-out versatility, and Aliir in particular is coming off one of his best games of the season. But Auckland counters with one of the most imposing big-man pairings in the league. Loe brings size, passing and shot-making, while Johnson controls the glass, protects the rim and punishes teams physically.
If Wellington can hold its own here, the Saints have enough perimeter creation to make this a real contest. If Loe and Johnson are able to dictate the paint and own the rebounding battle, Auckland’s edge becomes difficult to overcome.
Individual Leaders
Category
Saints
Tuatara
Leading scorer
Elijah Pepper 23.7
Zach Riley 21.0
Leading rebounder
Carlin Davison 7.7
Chris Johnson 11.3
Leading assists
Carlin Davison 7.7
Josh Dilling 8.3
Best FG%
Jordan Hunt 78%
Tom Vodanovich 61%
Best 3PT FG%
Aubrey Chunga 60%
Zach Riley 47%
Blocks
Chunga / Gold / Hunt / Aliir 0.7
Chris Johnson 1.7
Steals
Elijah Pepper 3.7
Zach Riley 1.3
Minutes
Elijah Pepper 35:36
Josh Dilling 35:08
Stats that Matter
Stat
Saints
Tuatara
Points Per Game
100.3 (2nd)
102 (1st)
Points Allowed Per Game
96.3 (8th)
82.3 (2nd)
Scoring Margin
+4 (4th)
+19.7 (1st)
Field Goal %
50% (2nd)
48% (5th)
Field Goal % Defense
50% (8th)
39% (1st)
Free Throw %
71% (2nd)
71% (1st)
3-Point %
32% (6th)
34% (4th)
3-Point % Defense
42% (10th)
30% (2nd)
Offensive Rebound %
26% (7th)
29% (4th)
Defensive Rebound %
75% (4th)
77% (2nd)
Steals Per Game
9.7 (2nd)
6.7 (8th)
Blocks Per Game
3.33 (5th)
5.33 (2nd)
Assist/Turnover Ratio
1.87 (4th)
2.47 (2nd)
Wellington can score and has enough top-end talent to beat anyone, but its defensive efficiency has slipped badly over the last two games. Auckland, meanwhile, has been one of the league’s most complete teams through three rounds, defending at a high level, rebounding well and taking exceptional care of the ball. If the Saints are to knock off the unbeaten Tuatara, they will need their stars to fire and their defence to look much more connected than it has in recent outings.