Posted on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026

Game Preview: Hawks vs Rams

Game Preview: Big Barrel Hawke’s Bay Hawks (0-3) v The Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams (2-0)

The Big Barrel Hawke’s Bay Hawks are still searching for their first win of the season, but Thursday night brings a fresh wrinkle as they host the unbeaten Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams at Rodney Green Arenas in Napier.

The Hawks are 0-3 after dropping a high-scoring thriller to the Manawatū Jets, while the Rams are 2-0 and coming off one of the strongest performances of the early season after dismantling the defending champion Wellington Saints in their home opener. Hawke’s Bay’s short-term import solution has also come to an end, with Kyle Adnam temporary contract with the team ending after filling in early while the Hawks waited on bigs Chase Jeter and Jeremy McLaughlin, who is hoping to clear eligibility in time to play. That changes the shape of this matchup significantly, especially against a Rams side that has looked bigger, deeper and sharper each time they have stepped on the court.

When: Thursday 23 April, Rapid League 6.00pm, Sal’s NBL 7.00pm

Where: Rodney Green Arenas, Napier

Watch: Live on Sky Sport 2

Commentary: Huw Beynon & Rob Loe

Box Score Here

Purchase Tickets Here

Last Time Out:

The Hawks were involved in one of the highest scoring games of the season, eventually falling 109-102 to the Jets in Napier. With both teams playing smaller lineups, the game quickly became a shootout, with the opening quarter finishing 36-32 in favour of Manawatū. Dan Grida again carried a heavy load, finishing with 33 points and 7 rebounds, while Keanu Rasmussen added 21 points, 5 assists and 2 steals. In his first appearance of the season Jackson Ball gave the Hawks a major lift off the bench with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. But with the game tied at 100 late, the Jets found the big plays down the stretch through Kaden Sand, Jamal Poplar Jr. and Hamza Zahran, while the Hawks struggled to find enough offence in the clutch resulting in the defeat.

The Rams looked like a different level of threat in their home opener, beating the Saints 111-89 in Christchurch. After scraping past Nelson in Round 1, Canterbury used a full week of preparation to sharpen every tool in their toolbox. Tamenang Choh led the way with 28 points and 8 rebounds, Walter Brown continued his outstanding start with 21 points and 13 rebounds, and Taylor Britt controlled the floor with 17 points and 8 assists. Five Rams scored 15 or more as Canterbury stretched the Saints, punished defensive gaps and never let the defending champions get comfortable.

What to Expect:

Projected Starters

Big Barrel Hawke’s Bay Hawks

PG: Keanu Rasmussen

SG: Jackson Ball

SF: Dan Grida

PF: Jeremy McLaughlin (Q – Eligibility) 

C:   Tommy Fergusson

The Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams

PG: Taylor Britt

SG: Tamenang Choh

SF: Walter Brown

PF: Todd Withers

C:   Jack Andrew

The Hawks have been competitive in stretches, but this is a different challenge as the squad looks to rotate personnel on the fly. Rasmussen will likely carry even more on-ball responsibility, while Ball’s emergence against the Jets gives Hawke’s Bay a much-needed perimeter option who can guide the action on the court with the departure of Adnam. Grida remains the engine and has been one of the league’s most productive players through the opening fortnight, but the big addition for tonight is McLaughlin (if he is able to clear eligibility hurdles), who gives the Hawks the size they have been waiting on through the first two rounds.

McLaughlin’s arrival should help settle the frontcourt and allow Grida to play with a little less physical burden. It also brings the Hawks a step closer to matching the Rams’ size (even with Chase Jeter still out with injury), which matters against a Canterbury team getting production from every frontcourt piece. Fergusson will still need to battle inside, while Alonzo Burton, Clifton Bush III and Ezrah Eagle become important bench pieces if the Hawks are going to keep pace with Canterbury.

For the Rams, the picture is more settled. Britt is running the show, Choh looked every bit a two-way star against Wellington, and Brown is averaging a double-double and has been one of the form players early in the competition. Andrew gives Canterbury interior finishing and offensive rebounding with the ability to step outside when needed, while Withers stretches the floor and adds elite defensive presence combined with timely offense that comes without a need to dominate the ball. The Rams weren’t at their best when holding off Nelson, but the performance against the Saints suggested they may have found the rhythm they were chasing.

Will Hawke’s Bay be able to make its new structure come together quickly enough? The Hawks have enough scoring through Grida, Rasmussen and Ball to make this interesting, but they have been giving up points too easily and are still need to sort out the front court with Jeter unavailable and McLaughlin yet to clear eligibility, leaving them with more questions than answers at a key juncture of their season. Meanwhile, the Rams look connected, balanced and confident. If Canterbury gets early control through Britt and its frontcourt, the Hawks could be chasing for long stretches. If McLaughlin clears eligibility hurdles he gives Hawke’s Bay a stabilising presence while the guards handle the extra load, the home side gives itself a chance to turn this into a contest and grab their first victory of the season.

Matchup to Watch: Dan Grida v Walter Brown

This is a heavyweight wing battle between two of the most productive players in the league to start the season.

Grida has carried Hawke’s Bay through a tough 0-3 opening stretch and is averaging 26.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. He has been asked to score, rebound, facilitate and hold the group together through lineup uncertainty. Brown has been outstanding for Canterbury, averaging 19.0 points and 13.0 rebounds while shooting efficiently and defending across multiple positions. Both players can fill the box score, both can swing momentum, and both will be central to their team’s identity.

If Grida wins this matchup while forcing Canterbury into rotation and some overhelping, the Hawks will find scoring chances around him. If Brown is able to keep producing without needing the ball to stick, the Rams’ balance becomes extremely difficult to manage.

Matchup to Watch: Taylor Britt v Keanu Rasmussen

As is often the case the point guard battle will set the tone. 

Britt has been the steady hand behind Canterbury’s 2-0 start, averaging 20.0 points and 8.5 assists while shooting a blistering 66.6% from three. He has controlled tempo, punished defensive gaps and given the Rams a clear late-clock organiser when possessions tighten. With Canterbury’s frontcourt demanding attention, Britt’s ability to read the floor and create advantages has been central to the Rams’ early success.

Rasmussen’s role changes significantly now that Kyle Adnam’s time with the Hawks has come to an end. He has already been one of Hawke’s Bay’s most reliable scorers, but now the ball-handling, creation and decision-making load grows. He will need to balance his own attacking instincts with getting Grida, Ball, McLaughlin and Fergusson quality looks.

If Britt is able to dictate pace and keep the Rams flowing, Canterbury will be hard to slow down. If Rasmussen can match him with downhill pressure, shot-making and strong decision-making, Hawke’s Bay gives itself a real chance to reset its season at home.

Individual Leaders




Category
Hawks
Rams




Leading scorer
Dan Grida – 26.7
Taylor Britt – 20.0


Leading rebounder
Dan Grida – 9.7
Walter Brown – 13.0


Leading assists
Keanu Rasmussen – 4.0
Taylor Britt – 8.5


Best FG%
Clifton Bush III – 80%
Ihaka Cate – 71%


Best 3PT%
Dan Grida – 38%
Taylor Britt – 67%


Blocks
Keanu Rasmussen / Clifton Bush III – 1.0
Todd Withers – 1.5


Steals
Keanu Rasmussen – 2.3
Taylor Britt – 2.0


Minutes
Keanu Rasmussen – 35:52
Todd Withers – 33:53

Stats that Matter




Stat
Hawks
Rams




Points Per Game
93.7 (5th)
98.5 (3rd)


Points Allowed Per Game
101.0 (9th)
87.0 (6th)


Scoring Margin
-7.3 (8th)
+11.5 (4th)


Field Goal %
45% (7th)
49% (3rd)


Field Goal % Defense
52% (11th)
42% (3rd)


Free Throw %
56% (10th)
67% (5th)


3-Point %
28% (9th)
43% (2nd)


3-Point % Defense
46% (11th)
29% (3rd)


Offensive Rebound %
29% (2nd)
35% (1st)


Defensive Rebound %
73% (8th)
76% 56th)


Steals Per Game
8.3 (4th)
6.0 (8th)


Blocks Per Game
2.67 (8th)
5.0 (2nd)


Assist/Turnover Ratio
2.07 (5th)
1.78 (6th)

Final Word

Statistically and to with the eye test, Canterbury has been better on both sides of the ball, especially defending the field, defending the three-point line and protecting the paint with a league-best block rate. Hawke’s Bay has had enough offense to stay in games, but their defensive numbers have made it difficult to close games on a winning note. With Adnam gone and McLaughlin hopefully available, this is a key reset game for the Hawks as they try to find a more sustainable identity, but against a side with as much quality as the Rams the reset button may be just out of reach.Â