Basketball Australia CEO Matt Scriven announced on Tuesday that Hobart will host the opening game of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asia Qualifiers, with the Australian Boomers set to face the New Zealand Tall Blacks on Friday, November 28.
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Boomers forward and Tasmania JackJumpers captain Will Magnay, who led Australia during the FIBA Asia Cup, said he’s thrilled to see the game return to his home state.
“Tasmania is a special place, and the fans here have taken their love for basketball to another level,” Magnay said.
“I feel lucky to have been part of the momentum over the past few years – from the rise of the Jackies to now representing Australia again as a Boomer. The game in November against the Tall Blacks is the first challenge in our World Cup journey, and we’ll be ready for it.”
The matchup in Hobart will be the first time the Boomers and Tall Blacks have faced off at MyState Bank Arena (formerly the Derwent Entertainment Centre) since July 26, 2006 – a game remembered for its drama and controversy.
In that clash, the Boomers battled early adversity with then-Milwaukee Bucks rookie Andrew Bogut playing through a stomach bug. Australia trailed by 17 points after the first quarter and went into halftime down 45-31.
But the Boomers stormed back in the second half, led by three-time NBL champion Jason Smith, who poured in a game-high 24 points. With 10 minutes remaining, the Tall Blacks’ lead had been cut to just five, 65-60.
In the closing moments, Smith’s clutch shooting gave the Boomers the edge. With four seconds left, Tall Blacks legend and FIBA Hall of Famer Kirk Penney had a chance to tie the game after being awarded three free throws – but missed all three.
Australia held on for a thrilling 79-78 victory.
After the game, then-Tall Blacks coach Tab Baldwin didn’t mince words.
“A basketball game is no place for anybody to be lazy at any point in time, and we were guilty of that tonight, among other things. That’s inexcusable,” Baldwin said.
Nearly two decades later, the Tall Blacks will arrive in Hobart eager to rewrite history with a new generation of players.
The Australian Boomers currently sit 6th in the FIBA world rankings, while the New Zealand Tall Blacks are ranked 25th.
Tickets are available now for members, with general public sales opening at 1pm on Wednesday, October 15 via Ticketek.