Boomers take game one in the Trans-Tasman tournament

The Australian Boomers had a gritty win over New Zealand on Wednesday 7 May in the Trans-Tasman Throwdown. King #217 Xavier Cooks and King #249 Keli Leaupepe both played in the 12-point defeat against the Tall Blacks.  

Leaupepe made his home debut, with Cooks being the one to present Leaupepe his green and gold jersey, in a very special moment for the teammates. Leaupepe, who was a part of the squad for the Nippon Life Cup (2024) went on to score 4 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist. Meanwhile, Cooks scored 5 points and 4 rebounds.  

This led to our Aussie boys bringing home the win 80 – 68, a great outcome for Leaupepe’s first game as a Boomer, and Cooks in his first competitive outing since February.  

New Zealand were up by six early in the third quarter, but Australia took complete control and closed the deal scoring 18 of the last 21 points of the game.  

The Trans-Tasman Throwdown will continue on Friday on the Sunshine Coast with the Boomers first up at 5:40pm local time, before the Opals clash which is at 7:55pm.