2022 NZNBL preview: Auckland Tuatara
THE New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL)’s newest named side sees the Auckland Tuatara enter the league. Previously known as the Auckland Huskies – and Southern Huskies in the NBL1 competition – the club was purchased by the same-named baseball team, and will now look to make waves in New Zealand basketball.
KEY CHANGES:
FRESH FACES: Rob Loe, Braydon Iuli, Dan Fotu, Siler Schneider, Charlie Dalton, Kainoa Lepou, Luka Vea, Thomas Beattie
KEY DEPARTURES: Thomas Vodanovich, Jeremy Kendle, Justin Bibbs, Zach Riley, Brook Ruscoe
The Tuatara have retained some quality players from the previous regime, with exciting teenager Dontae Russo-Nance one who came on in leaps and bounds and remains an incredible talent for the future. They also retained import centre Chris Johnson who averaged 20.1 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists, though did lose bigman Tom Vodanovich though he only played the eight games last season with his Australian NBL commitments. Justin Bibbs, Zach Riley and Brooke Ruscoe also all departed after 10-plus point averages last season.
Coming into the side though, the Tuatara have used an import spot on 26-year-old American Siler Schneider who has been playing in Denmark after completing his college basketball. Experienced Tall Black Robert Loe has returned back to the NZNBL having played with Wellington Saints for a season back in 2018-19 where he averaged 13.2 points and 7.7 rebounds. He will be an important get, whilst another New Zealand talent Dan Fotu returns from college to play with the Tuatara. Under 18 talents Charlie Dalton and Tom Beattie have also joined the Tuatara and are named as ones to watch for the future.
2022 AUCKLAND TUATARA ROSTER:
Rob Loe
Dontae Russo-Nance
Chris McIntosh
Nick Barrow
Taki Fahrensohn
Braydon Iuli
Reuben Fitzgerald
Dan Fotu
Siler Schneider (T2)
Chris Johnson (T2)
Charlie Dalton
Kainoa Lepou
Luka Vea
Thomas Beattie
KEY TO SUCCESS
It will be all about creating the same excitement as the Huskies had last season, with the Tuatara being yet another name change for the fan base to have to get around. There is little doubt Russo-Nance is one of the most exciting prospects out there, and the return of Johnson is crucial for the Tuatara’s success. They had a real share-the-rock type gamestyle last season, with a lot of contributors each week, and those such as Nick Barrow and Chris McIntosh will provide some continuity.
Coach Aaron Young will be hoping Schneider can bring something different to the lineup, renowned for his grit, whilst Loe is a huge get – both physically and metaphorically – and will aim to replace the massive shoes left by Vodanovic. The pairing of Loe and Johnson will be among the strongest in the league, so if the smalls can get to work, then the Tuatara will be thereabouts when the whips are cracking.
2022 SCHEDULE
R1 vs. Airs
R2 @ Giants | @ Rams
R3 @ Saints
R4 vs. Hawks
R5 vs. Bulls
R6 @ Hawks | vs. Jets
R7 @ Airs | @ Jets
R8 vs. Nuggets
R9 vs. Giants
R10 @ Sharks | @ Nuggets
R11 vs. Rams
R12 vs. Sharks
R13 @ Bulls
R14 –
R15 vs. Saints
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