Posted on Friday, July 10th, 2026
Game Recap: Whai vs Saints
Result: Northern Group Tauranga Whai (95) are defeated by Mills Albert Wellington Saints (109)
A win here would mean different things for both sides. For the Whai, it’s one win closer to grabbing a Final 6 spot. For the Saints, it’d mean they keep Top 2 positioning within reach. The Whai would start strong and build out a 30-22 lead. The Saints in the second would get off to an even hotter start. Donte Ingram and Carlin Davison would lead the way, both putting up double digits as they’d take a 4 point lead into the half. The third quarter would be a similar story for the Whai, the Saints would find their groove, this time with Elijah Pepper entering the fray. The Saints would build the lead to 18 points only for the Whai would close it to single digits, only for the Saints to go on another run and extend it to 22 with 5 minutes left in the 4th. The mountain would be too steep for the home side to climb as they’d lose to the visiting Saints.
Leading Scorers:
The Northern Group Tauranga Whai: Reuben Te Rangi (30p, 7r), Taine Murray (21p, 5r, 4a, 3s), Anzac Rissetto (13p, 6r, 2a)
Mills Albert Wellington Saints: Elijah Pepper (30p, 3r, 5a, 2s), Carlin Davison (17p, 6r, 12a), Akech Aliir (18p, 7r)
Rapid League game:
Result: Northern Group Tauranga Whai (40) defeat Mills Albert Pathways Wellington Saints (23)
Both of these teams were hunting wins on route to trying to overthrow the leading Tuatara. Down this stretch, every win matters. The first quarter would start out as expected, with it being a close battle between these two top four teams. But the second quarter would alter the narrative. The Whai would put up 16 points to the Saints’ 6. It’d be a 9 point lead that would
Leading Scorers:
The Northern Group Tauranga Whai: Jett Thompson (13p, 3r, 3a), Cole Hopoi (9p)
Mills Albert Pathways Wellington Saints: Hassan Munir (7p, 3r), Mercury Nonu (5p, 2r)