By Matt Burrows
It was always going to be a tough ask for the Tall Blacks – and so it proved as they fell to an 89-79 loss in their second Olympic qualifier against Australia.
The Tall Blacks had already lost 71-59 in the first game of the series, meaning they had to beat the Boomers by at least 13 points to win over two legs and book themselves a place at next year's Rio Olympics.
But despite a late rally by New Zealand in the final quarter, the Boomers stood firm to notch up a second consecutive win over the Kiwis, and take out the FIBA Oceania Championship.
The defeat means the Tall Blacks will now have to wait to play next July in the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament to secure a berth at the 2016 Olympic Games.
The home support were full of anticipation after a rousing haka at Wellington's TSB Bank Arena, but poor shooting from the Tall Blacks saw Australia claim the ascendency early on as they took out the first quarter 21-14.
The second period was a tighter affair – with Isaac Fotu, Everard Bartlett and Reuben Te Rangi all sinking three-pointers at crucial moments to keep the Boomers within touching distance at 40-33.
But the Tall Blacks saw their qualification hopes ended soon after half-time as Matthew Dellavadova, Andrew Bogut and Patty Mills began to assert their dominance.
The trio, who all play in the NBA, were a class above their Kiwi opponents when it mattered most, opening up what was at one stage a 16-point lead.
Shooting guard Corey Webster was at the heart of a stirring New Zealand comeback in the final quarter, sinking two three-pointers in the process – but it was ultimately in vain, as Australia ran out deserved victors.
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