Source: Radio New Zealand
Emilia Shearer #2 of New Zealand at the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament in San Juan. (Photo by Edgardo Medina / NurPhoto via AFP)
The Tall Ferns have finished their World Cup Qualifying Tournament winless after a 77-61 loss to hosts Puerto Rico.
The Tall Ferns had to beat Puerto Rico by 24 points or more to qualify for the 2026 Basketball Women’s World Cup in Berlin later this year, which was always going to be a massive ask against the world’s 13th-ranked side.
New Zealand, which was ranked 21st, had only met their opponents once before when Puerto Rico beat them by two goals at an Olympic qualifying tournament in 2024.
The Tall Ferns also took a young side to the tournament and are without a number of players who are on college basketball duty in the United States. Three players made their debuts in San Juan.
Before going into today’s game, New Zealand suffered losses to the USA, Italy, Senegal, and Spain.
The Tall Ferns put up a strong showing in the first quarter, which they won 21-12. The hosts then took the initiative in the second period to nudge ahead of New Zealand 40-38 at half-time.
New Zealand stayed within touching distance of Puerto Rico in the third quarter before being restricted to just seven points in the final spell.
Experienced Tall Fern Sharne Pupuke Robati put in a big shift, scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds, to go along with four assists.
With their second win of the tournament, Puerto Rico joined the USA, Italy and Spain in securing a place at the World Cup in Germany in September.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
