Posted on Sunday, July 19th, 2026
Game Preview: Rams vs Tuatara
The race for the leading positions on the Sal’s NBL ladder comes to Parakiore today when The Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams host the Jadcup Auckland Tuatara in one of the most consequential games of the regular season.
Southland’s commanding victory last night moved the Sharks to 16-3 and keeps the pressures on both teams. Auckland enters at 15-3, while Canterbury sits at 14-4, and today’s events will set the table for the top two and potentially the number-one seed.
The Tuatara claimed the first meeting by only three points, and the separation remains just as narrow today. Auckland and Canterbury are two of the scoring and defensive units in the competition with a long history of competition.
Game Details
The Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams vs Jadcup Auckland Tuatara
When: Sunday 19 July
Where: Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre, Christchurch
Rapid League: 2:00pm
Sal’s NBL: 3:00pm
Watch in New Zealand: Sky Sport 2 and Sky Open
International: ESPN+ in the United States and FIBA YouTube internationally
Commentary: Andrew Mulligan and Casey Frank, with Nick Bewley courtside
Box Score Here
Tickets Here
Player Status Report
Taylor Britt is questionable for Canterbury due to concussion. Tamenang Choh, Walter Brown, Todd Withers, Jack Andrew and restricted player René Rougeau are available.
Further down the depth chart Mana Martin is overseas, Brody Cooper is unavailable with a foot injury, while Christopher Christof and Tony Worthington have not been selected.
Auckland has named Rob Loe, Thomas Vodanovich, Isaac Davidson, Sean Bairstow and Josh Dilling as its starting five, with Zach Riley, Dylan Wilkie, Josh Wyllie and Josh Leger among the available rotation players.
Chris Johnson remains the only key contributor not available for the visitors.
What a Win Means
Southland’s 103-62 victory over Hawke’s Bay has moved the Sharks to 16-3 and strengthened their position in the top-two race. However, with Auckland and Canterbury both still capable of reaching 16 wins, the leading positions are not yet completely settled.
If Auckland wins
The Tuatara improve to 16-3 and secure a top-two finish alongside Southland.
Canterbury would fall to 14-5 and could finish with no more than 15 victories, removing the Rams from the top-two race.
Auckland and Southland would then enter their final regular-season games level on 16 wins. If they finish with the same record, points percentage will decide the number-one seed. Auckland retains a significant advantage at approximately 119, compared with Southland’s improved mark of approximately 106.
If Canterbury wins
The Rams improve to 15-4 and draw level with Auckland, while Southland remains one win ahead at 16-3.
All three teams could then finish the regular season with 16 victories. In that scenario, points percentage determines the top three positions. Auckland currently holds the advantage at 119, followed by Canterbury at 108 and Southland at 105.
A win today would therefore keep Canterbury in the race for both a top-two finish and even the number-one seed. The Rams’ clearest path is to win their final two games and hope Auckland and Southland each drop their remaining contest.
For Auckland, a loss would leave its top-two place unsecured. The Tuatara would then need to win their final game, and either receive help elsewhere or rely on their considerable points-percentage advantage.
If Canterbury loses
The Rams fall to 14-5 and can finish with no more than 15 wins. Auckland and Southland would both sit on 16 victories, confirming them as the competition’s top two seeds.
The remaining battle would then be for the number-one seed, with Auckland holding the advantage against any team level on wins.
First Matchup
Wednesday 3 June: Jadcup Auckland Tuatara 100 defeated The Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams 97
Isaac Davidson opened the first meeting on a tear, scoring 11 points during the early stages as Auckland established control. The Tuatara carried a 10-point advantage into halftime behind efficient offence and strong ball movement.
Taylor Britt and Tamenang Choh gradually helped Canterbury find its rhythm. The third quarter finished level at 26 points apiece before the Rams made their run in the fourth, reducing the deficit to three and earning a final opportunity to force overtime.
The Rams were unable to convert the final look, allowing Auckland to secure the 100-97 victory.
The Tuatara shot 50 percent from the field and made 13 three-pointers at 48 percent, while also winning the rebounding battle 42-34. Canterbury shot 50 percent overall but connected on only five of its 19 attempts from beyond the arc.
Jadcup Auckland Tuatara: Isaac Davidson 22 points, six rebounds and five assists; Zach Riley 19 points, three rebounds and two assists; Rob Loe 14 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals.
The Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams: Taylor Britt 33 points, three rebounds and six assists; Tamenang Choh 25 points, nine rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks; Walter Brown 11 points, six rebounds, three assists, four steals and three blocks.
Last Time Out
Jadcup Auckland Tuatara 108 defeated Property Brokers Manawatū Jets 91
Auckland responded to its previous defeat with a balanced offensive performance on Friday night, shooting 51 percent from the field and recording 30 assists. The Tuatara won the rebounding battle 47-42, scored 54 points in the paint and built a lead that reached 27 points.
The result moved Auckland to 15-3 and ensured it remains at the centre of the battle for the competition’s top seed.
Jadcup Auckland Tuatara: Thomas Vodanovich 22 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block; Sean Bairstow 22 points, five rebounds and five assists; Josh Dilling 17 points, four rebounds, eight assists and three steals.
Property Brokers Manawatū Jets: Tai Webster 26 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals; Jamal Poplar Jr 23 points, 15 rebounds and two assists; Kaden Sand 22 points, three rebounds and two steals.
The Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams 98 defeated Mills Albert Wellington Saints 88
Canterbury produced an outstanding opening half at TSB Arena, using its perimeter shooting, rebounding and defensive pressure to build a 58-33 halftime advantage.
Wellington reduced the 25-point deficit to 10 during the second half, but the Rams steadied in the closing stages. Canterbury shot 50 percent from the field, made 13 three-pointers and won the rebounding battle 44-30.
The Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams: Walter Brown 23 points and four assists; Todd Withers 18 points and nine rebounds; Tamenang Choh 16 points, six rebounds and 11 assists.
Mills Albert Wellington Saints: Elijah Pepper 27 points, five rebounds, nine assists and six steals; Carlin Davison 16 points, six rebounds and five assists.
What to Expect
This contest features the league’s two most effective defences statistically. Auckland allows only 83.1 points per game and holds opponents to 41 percent shooting, while Canterbury concedes 84.9 points and limits teams to 42 percent from the field.
The Tuatara are particularly difficult to attack from the perimeter. Their opponents are shooting just 28 percent from three, the best defensive mark in the competition. Auckland can switch across multiple positions, use Loe as a back-line organiser and turn defensive stops into possessions with pace that generate early offence.
Canterbury present a defensive challenge. The Rams pull down 45.4 rebounds per game, a plus-6.7 rebounding margin and 5.1 blocked shots, all league best marks. Jack Andrew, Choh, Brown, Withers and Rougeau give Canterbury length throughout its lineup and allow it to punish smaller combinations on the offensive glass.
Britt’s availability will significantly impact how the Rams attack. He leads Canterbury with 7.1 assists per game and scored 33 points in the first meeting. If he is unavailable, Choh will carry greater responsibility as the primary creator, with Brown taking on point guard duties and Withers also required to generate more gravity from the perimeter.
The Tuatara will be without Johnson, reducing their frontcourt depth, but Loe and Vodanovich provide a combination of size, passing and perimeter shooting. Auckland averages 24.2 assists per game and owns an outstanding 2.1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
The Rams must disrupt that rhythm without losing control of their defensive structure. Auckland may not produce high steal numbers, but it rarely gives opponents easy opportunities and can create separation through execution rather than pace.
Matchups to Watch
Jack Andrew vs Rob Loe
This matchup brings together two of the league’s most influential centres, but players who affect the game in very different ways.
Andrew is averaging 15.9 points and 9.6 rebounds while shooting 63 percent from the field. His ability to finish around the rim, run the floor and attack the offensive glass is central to Canterbury’s league-leading rebounding numbers. If he can establish deep position and create second-chance opportunities, the Rams can place sustained pressure on Auckland’s frontcourt.
Loe counters with 14.1 points, nine rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. His passing and perimeter shooting can pull Andrew away from the basket, opening driving lanes for Auckland’s guards and creating difficult decisions for Canterbury’s help defence.
With Chris Johnson unavailable, Loe carries even greater responsibility to protect the glass and stay out of foul trouble. Andrew will look to test Auckland’s reduced interior depth, while Loe will attempt to make him defend across the entire floor.
Tom Vodanovich vs Todd Withers
Vodanovich and Withers give their teams experienced forwards who can stretch the floor, rebound and punish mismatches.
Vodanovich is averaging 15.3 points and 6.2 rebounds while shooting 54 percent from the field. He can score in the post, trail the break for three and use his strength against smaller defenders. His ability to move between the perimeter and the paint will test Canterbury’s defensive communication.
Withers averages 12.6 points and 5.8 rebounds and is one of the competition’s most dangerous high-volume shooters, making 3.1 three-pointers per game. He also provides Canterbury with length and versatility at the defensive end.
Withers must keep Vodanovich away from comfortable interior touches without giving him open perimeter looks. At the other end, Vodanovich will need to remain attached to Withers, whose shooting can quickly change the momentum of the game.
Tamenang Choh vs Isaac Davidson
Choh and Davidson are both versatile creators who can influence the game as scorers, rebounders and playmakers.
Choh is averaging 20.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.9 assists while shooting 51 percent from the field. His strength allows him to attack smaller defenders, while his passing makes it difficult for Auckland to send extra help without leaving shooters open.
Davidson averages 13.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists and scored 22 points in the first meeting. He is shooting 47 percent from the field and 36 percent from three, giving the Tuatara another player capable of stretching Canterbury’s defence before attacking closeouts.
Davidson will need to absorb Choh’s physicality and keep him away from the middle of the floor. At the other end, Choh must stay disciplined against Davidson’s shooting and movement, particularly when Auckland uses Rob Loe to create space and initiate offence from the high post.
Individual Leaders
The Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams
Tamenang Choh: 20.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.9 assists
Taylor Britt: 20.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 7.1 assists, questionable
Walter Brown: 18.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists
Jack Andrew: 15.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks
Jadcup Auckland Tuatara
Thomas Vodanovich: 15.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists
Josh Dilling: 15.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists
Zach Riley: 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists
Rob Loe: 14.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists
Individual Category Leaders
Category
Canterbury Rams
Auckland Tuatara
Leading scorer
Tamenang Choh, 20.2ppg
Thomas Vodanovich, 15.3ppg
Rebounding
Jack Andrew, 9.6rpg
Rob Loe, 9.0rpg
Assists
Taylor Britt, 7.1apg
Josh Dilling, 5.6apg
Steals
René Rougeau, 2.2spg
Zach Riley, 1.1spg
Blocks
René Rougeau, 1.5bpg
Chris Johnson, 1bpg
Field-goal percentage
Jack Andrew, 63%
Johnson 58% / Bairstow, 57%
Three-point percentage
Todd Withers, 38%
Dylan Wilkie, 53%
Turnovers
Tamenang Choh, 3.0pg
Thomas Vodanovich, 2.1pg
Made three-pointers
Todd Withers, 3.1pg
Josh Dilling, 2.5pg
Stats That Matter
Category
Rams
Tuatara
Record
14-4
15-3
Points percentage
108, 3rd
118, 1st
Points per game
97.7, 2nd
96.2, 3rd
Points allowed
84.9, 2nd
83.1, 1st
Scoring margin
+12.7, 2nd
+13.1, 1st
Field-goal percentage
48%, 3rd
49%, 2nd
Defensive field-goal percentage
42%, 2nd
41%, 1st
Three-point percentage
35%, 3rd
36%, 2nd
Defensive three-point percentage
32%, 4th
28%, 1st
Three-pointers made
9.9 per game
10.9 per game
Rebounds
45.4 per game, 1st
44.9 per game, 2nd
Rebounding margin
+6.7, 1st
+5.4, 2nd
Assists
21.7 per game, 3rd
24.2 per game, 2nd
Turnovers
11.7 per game
11.7 per game
Assist-to-turnover ratio
1.9, 3rd
2.1, 1st
Steals
8.1, 6th
5.5, 11th
Blocks
5.1, 1st
2.6, 7th
Final Word
Auckland won the first meeting by three points following a furious comeback, and there remains little between these two teams built to challenge deep into the postseason.
The Tuatara have the league’s leading scoring margin, best defence and strongest points-percentage position. A win today guarantees Auckland a top-two finish and leaves it with the inside running for the number-one seed.
Canterbury has the advantage of a full week’s preparation, the home crowd and the league’s strongest rebounding unit. A Rams victory brings Auckland back level, keeps Canterbury’s top-two ambitions alive and ensures the race remains open entering the final games of the regular season.
Britt’s status, the battle between Andrew and Auckland’s frontcourt, and each team’s ability to defend the three-point line may determine which contender takes a major step towards securing the most favourable route through the postseason.