The Australian Boomers and New Zealand Tall Blacks will square off twice this window as part of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers – and with both squads loaded with NBL talent, this two-game series is set to be a showcase of the league’s rising stars.
AUS Boomers take on NZ Tall Blacks in the World Cup qualifiers | FRI 28 NOV 7:30PM AEDT & MON 1 DEC 5PM AEDT | Watch Live on ESPN, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
With the NBA season in full swing, the Boomers will be without the likes of Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels, and they’ll also be missing new head coach Adam Caporn.
Despite that, confidence remains high after winning the Asia Cup and climbing to sixth in the latest FIBA world rankings. Four members of that championship squad return, including tournament MVP Jaylin Galloway, who averaged 14 points and three rebounds while shooting a ridiculous 67% from deep.
Injury management has forced a couple of changes. Keanu Pinder replaces Will Magnay, while Ben Ayre steps in for Owen Foxwell and will make his Boomers debut in front of his home fans in Tasmania.
On the other side, the Tall Blacks bring a rugged, experienced group featuring Brisbane Bullets big Tyrell Harrison and Breakers talent Sam Mennenga. Eleven of their 12 players currently suit up in the NBL, a testament to the league’s continued growth.
Both nations sit in Group A alongside the Philippines and Guam, with games this window followed by further qualifiers in February and July before the field is trimmed to the top three teams from each group.
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FIVE KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
With a blend of youth, experience and NBA-calibre upside across both squads, these are the five players set to shape the series.
5 | DASH DANIELS – AUSTRALIAN BOOMERS
At just 17, Dash Daniels is one of the youngest Boomers in modern memory and a genuine 2026 NBA Draft prospect. ESPN ranks him 21st on its Big Board – the youngest player inside the top 100.
Daniels played a small but impactful role at the Asia Cup, averaging 7.4 minutes, 2.3 points and 1.2 rebounds, finishing the tournament at +3.7. Every minute he gets in this window will matter.
With Dean Vickerman coaching this series – and a shared connection through Melbourne United’s 13-2 start – there’s real familiarity between the two. Expect flashes of elite defence, athleticism and poise beyond his age.
Dash Daniels. Picture: Nikki Davis-JonesSource: News Corp Australia
4 | MOJAVE KING – NEW ZEALAND TALL BLACKS
At 23, Mojave King is emerging as the Tall Blacks’ next long-term centrepiece. He impressed at the Asia Cup with 17.7 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists per game, finishing as the tournament’s seventh-highest scorer.
He’s carried that form into the NBL season, averaging 13.7 points on 52% shooting, highlighted by a 32-point masterclass against Illawarra (13/16 FG).
The Tall Blacks will lean heavily on King’s shot-making and aggression across both games.
Mojave King. (Photo by Emily Barker/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
3 | WILL HICKEY – AUSTRALIAN BOOMERS
Few Australian players have risen faster than Will Hickey. Fresh off a standout Asia Cup where he averaged 10.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists, the 26-year-old returns to the green and gold with momentum.
His NBL season has been nothing short of sensational: 16 points, 7.9 assists and eight rebounds per game on 49% shooting. With the Olympic race heating up, Hickey is firmly in the conversation for LA 2028.
A strong performance here could take him from fringe candidate to genuine contender.
Australian Boomer Will ‘Davo’ Hickey Picture: BASource: Supplied Source Known
2 | FLYNN CAMERON – NEW ZEALAND TALL BLACKS
Flynn Cameron continues to evolve into a premier international guard for New Zealand. In the Asia Cup, he averaged 15 points, four rebounds and four assists, shooting 55% from the field and leading the Tall Blacks with 18 points in the bronze-medal game.
His NBL growth is obvious – up from 5.3 points to 10.4 per game – and his playmaking has improved dramatically alongside Bryce Cotton in Adelaide.
Carrying the legacy of his father, FIBA Hall of Famer Pero Cameron, Flynn is fast becoming the face of the next Tall Blacks generation.
Flynn Cameron. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
1 | JAYLIN GALLOWAY – AUSTRALIAN BOOMERS
Jaylin Galloway is the headline act. The Asia Cup MVP was unstoppable across the tournament, capping it off with 23 points, five rebounds and three assists in the gold-medal game while shooting over 58% from the field.
At just 22, he’s already played NBA minutes, fits the international game perfectly, and could force his way into Olympic contention with another strong window. With so much competition at forward, these qualifiers matter – and Galloway is the Boomers’ biggest X-factor.
Jaylin Galloway ahead of the game between Australia and New Zealand in Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-JonesSource: News Corp Australia
FULL SQUADS
AUSTRALIAN BOOMERS
Alex Ducas
Angus Glover
Ben Ayre
Dash Daniels
Elijah Pepper
Jack White
Jaylin Galloway
Jordan Hunter
Josh Bannan
Keanu Pinder
Nick Kay
Will Hickey
NEW ZEALAND TALL BLACKS
Carlin Davison
Finn Delany
Flynn Cameron
Izayah Le’afa
Max Darling
Mojave King
Sam Mennenga
Taine Murray
Taylor Britt
Tohi Smith-Milner
Tyrell Harrison
Yanni Wetzell
WHEN & WHERE TO WATCH
You can watch both games live on ESPN with Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
Game 1:
Friday, Nov 28 (7:30pm AEDT)
MyState Bank Arena – Hobart, Tasmania
Game 2:
Monday, Dec 1 (5:00pm AEDT)
TSB Arena – Wellington, Te Whanganui-a-tara
PREDICTION
If May’s Trans-Tasman Series taught us anything, it’s that these teams rarely give an inch. New Zealand took Game 1 back then before the Boomers steadied to win the series 2-1.
This time, it feels like another split series:
Boomers win Game 1 in Australia.
Tall Blacks respond in Game 2 at home.
Series tied 1-1.
