The Breakers are set to kick off their finals series against the Perth Wildcats at 11.30pm. The Crowd Goes Wild’s Andrew Mulligan explains why the match-up is the best rivalry in Australasian sport.

The All Blacks’ and Wallabies’ rivalry has nothing on the one between the New Zealand Breakers and the Perth Wildcats. Whereas New Zealand owns the Aussies 106 to 42 in all-time rugby match-ups, the win count difference between Australasian basketball’s top two franchises is vanishingly small –  26 to 25 in favour of Perth. The Bledisloe Cup is a great contest. There have been some memorable tests. But ‘Breakers v Wildcats’ is the most competitive Trans-Tasman sporting match-up, and it’s about to play out again on the NBL’s biggest stage.

To get a sense of this rivalry, you need to start at the beginning.

2011: The Mika Vukona knee game

The Breakers were raging hot favourites to win the NBL Championship in 2011. They had a 22-6 record; Kirk Penney was at the peak of his powers; and the team still came within a few plays of blowing their title chances in a tense semi-final series against the Wildcats.

Perth, the reigning 2010 champions, came out in Game 1 and thumped New Zealand 101-78, blowing them out with defensive pressure from point guard Damian Martin (incidentally, he is related to a Wiggle), the cold-blooded shooting of Kevin Lisch, and their trademark physicality.

It took a legendary contest to turn the series around. Mika Vukona, the Breakers’ undersized-but-inspirational power forward, seemed doubtful to play after partially tearing one of his knee ligaments in a Game 1 collision with Penney. But he strapped up his flapping body parts, took the floor, and played a vital role as the team eked out a win behind a massive shooting night from Penney, who went for 38 points in arguably his greatest game. Despite it becoming physically impossible for Penney to miss, it took two late 3 point bombs by streaky shooter Kevin Braswell to secure the unlikely victory. Game 3 was won by 16 points, and the Breakers lifted their first trophy by defeating the Cairns Taipans 2-1 in the finals series.

2012: The humiliation of Shawn Redhage

The following year, the two teams met in the Grand Finals. The Breakers finally felt like a big-time team, with the addition of home games at Vector Arena to their schedule. The series was another classic, with Cedric Jackson launching into his championship-winning ways, and grizzled veteran CJ Bruton rising to the occasion despite dodgy knees.

Game 1 was an overtime classic, with the Breakers winning despite Abercrombie sitting out with a bad ankle

The series should’ve been wrapped up in Game 2 in Perth, but for a bit of Wildcat luck. With under a minute to go, the Breakers’ irrepressible ginger-haired centre Gary Wilkinson inadvertently deflected a pass into his own hoop, giving Perth the lead 87-86. The Wildcats’ supremely hateable star Shawn Redhage sealed the game by blocking a runner from Bruton.

Upon his return in the Game 3 decider, Abercrombie floated across the lane to block a Shawn Redhage fast break with under a minute to go. Bruton hit clutch three after clutch three, and the Breakers took the game 79-73.

2013: Total victory

2013 was a clean sweep, sealed with a rare Breakers victory on the Wildcats’ home court. That stung Perth. To have a team celebrate on your floor is one thing, but for it to be the team they felt took their potential dynasty off them the previous two seasons was a bitter pill to swallow.

2016: A Wildcat revenge mission

Game 1 in Perth tonight should be a classic. When the opponent was confirmed on Saturday morning, Mika Vukona openly confirmed the Breakers hate the Wildcats. At what point does anyone in this country who plays professional sport even begin to contemplate saying that to the media before going into an arena filled with 14,000 Perth fans? Mika does. He doesn’t care either. The man is the driving force behind the team, and one who is not only immensely respected but feared at this time of year. His dedication and desire is legendary and the rebounding battle will see him at the heart of the series.

While Cedric Jackson has been on a tear and Tom Abercrombie has elevated his play to the next level, it’s the play of Corey Webster who will be key. He’s been in a funk the second half of the season, but an offensive re-alignment by coach Dean Vickerman has seen the ball out of his hands more, which frees him up for catch-and-shoot opportunities. Add in seven foot centre Alex Pledger’s elevation to the starting line-up, and the Breakers now have a nice symmetry about their rotations, with foul-prone rookie big man Charles Jackson able to be more effective off the bench.

This is the worst possible finals for the league because the interest levels on the eastern side of Australia will be so low. But it’s the best possible outcome for New Zealand basketball fans wanting to see another chapter play out in the greatest sporting rivalry this side of the equator. It might not be pretty basketball, but it will be intense. Tip-off can’t come soon enough. Here’s a rap by the 1989 Perth Wildcats to help you pass time until then. Hissssssss

Scotty Stevenson gives his take on the shockingly competent Blues and the Mighty and Terrible Brumbies in our first ever KFC Super Rugby power rankings.

1. The Brumbies

Rd 1: 52-10 v Hurricanes

The Brumbies are more organised than an obsessive compulsive’s wardrobe. From the grind of the 150-game veteran skipper and resident orc, Stephen Moore, to the metronomic goal kicking of Christian Leali’ifano, this was an across-the-board exhibition of efficiency, augmented by the peerless form of tree-hugging activist/ball-robbing flanker David Pocock.

2. The Blues

Rd 1 33-31 v Highlanders

Everything about the Blues was better than last year. They won more rucks, scrums and lineouts, carried the ball more, broke more tackles and doubled their 2015 points per game average. They also limited their turnovers against a team that loves scoring on transition plays. All the talk pre-game was about the perceived lack of a 9-10 combination. All the talk post-game was about the fine 9-10 combination, so points to Bryn Hall and Ihaia West on that front.

The Blues remember what it’s like to win a game.

3. The Stormers

Rd 1: 33-9 v Bulls

The Stormers became the first team in Super Rugby history to secure a three-try bonus point, proving once again just how strange the new bonus point system is. They also crushed the Bulls who, without Handre Pollard, looked clueless.

4. The Chiefs

Rd 1: 27-21 v Crusaders

Aaron Cruden is the most homeless first five in Super Rugby, and I mean that as a compliment. Cruden built his Chiefs game around standing at first receiver the least, and running the most as a percentage of receptions, which means he is a threat all over the park.  He was at it again against the Crusaders in between picking fights with Andy Ellis and job sharing with Damian McKenzie.

Damian McKenizie thinks about hurting Andy Ellis.

The Chiefs made it four from their last five at AMI Stadium, too.

5. The Waratahs

Rd 1 30-10 v Reds

The ‘Tahs opened their season with a predictable dusting up of the Reds at Allianz Stadium, and Zac Guildford even scored a try- something he hasn’t done much since the last time Darryl Gibson coached him at the Crusaders. It seems Gibson is the Guildford whisperer.  

6. The Highlanders

Rd 1 31-33 v The Blues

As Aaron Smith admitted after the game, the Highlanders were guilty of waiting for it happen, rather than making it happen. Limited to 320 running metres in the match, they were still one kick away from winning at Eden Park. There is no panic here; the Highlanders will find their mojo. Also: their fans love a nude run.

7. The Lions

Rd 1 26-13 v Sunwolves

By some miracle, the Lions could well win their Super Rugby conference and host a home quarterfinal this year. Anyone who has followed Lions rugby over the last ten years is well within their rights to choke on their biltong at that assertion, but this current incarnation is a team that will bludgeon you to death before dancing on your carcass.

8. The Sharks

Rd 1: 43-8 v Kings

This was a Sharks side without a du Plessis, which is like a Welsh classroom without a Jones. The Sharks would have been happy enough to come away with the points, but they’ll know there are sterner tests ahead.

9. The Rebels

Rd 1: 25-19 v Force

I have no idea who Reece Hodge is, but he scored 20 of the Rebels’ 25 points against the Force so all power to the fullback. The Rebels extended their career record to 8-4 against the Force but their scrum and lineout took a battering which they will need to get sorted, and fast. This fixture was purely created to make Star Wars puns about, but I will not go there.

10. The Jaguares

Rd 1 34-33 v The Cheetahs

You have to hand it to the Jags, Hags, or Ags, or whatever you want to call them: this was a comeback win for the ages. Three tries down and two men in the bin after 24 minutes, the Argentinian debutants somehow found a way to win in Bloemfontein. They are our lowest-ranked winner by virtue of the fact they let the Cheetahs run for a round-high 688 metres, and also because of this weird post-match interview.

11. The Crusaders

Rd 1 21-27 v Chiefs

There was a bit of everything in here for the Crusaders. Same attack plan, same graft in the loose, and same fetish for getting the ball as quickly as possible to Nemani Nadolo, but a few new faces who will be better off for a game at this level. They need more trickery from Andy Ellis.

And the return of their skinny white Buddha, Ryan Crotty.

12. The Cheetahs

Rd 1: 33-34 v Jaguares

The Cheetahs played the optional defence card in this game, and missed 45 tackles, which is frankly insane. Their three-quarter line ran for more metres than the entire Highlanders team in round one, which is also crazy. I like this team. They have all the structural integrity of a meringue.

At least the Cheetahs’ attacking mindset was commendable.

13. The Sunwolves

Rd 1 13-26 v Lions

Unveiled the most terrifying mascot in rugby history, scored a try, played in front of a packed house, didn’t embarrass themselves. Probably tore Ripongi apart afterward and fell asleep on a bullet train. There is a lot to like here.

14. The Hurricanes

Rd 1 10-52 v Brumbies

Yes, I know what you’re thinking here: how can a team that got hammered by 42 points still be ranked this high? I actually cannot answer that, although I can safely say the Hurricanes will not play this badly again in 2016. I think I can safely say that. I can also safely say that the Hurricanes are not fat. I know this because I spent a day in bed with six of them. It’s a long story.

15. The Force

Rd 1 19-25 v Rebels

The Force keeps finding ways to lose games they shouldn’t lose. They dominated the lineouts and scrums against the Rebels, ran for more metres, beat more defenders and missed fewer tackles, and had more of the ball. Only problem is, they decided to handover their excess possession to the Rebels by way of turnovers. That is generous of them, but kinda dumb.

16. The Reds

Rd 1: 10-30 v Waratahs

The Reds have not beaten the Waratahs since 2013, which must genuinely irk the Queenslanders. This is a prime example of why possession stats are pointless: the Reds had 62% of the ball but the ugly truth is that just 0.9% of that was spent inside the Waratahs red zone, which means they play most of their footy inside their own half. You need some game breakers if you are going to do that.

17. The Bulls

Rd 1: 9-33 v Stormers

It is tempting to say that without Handre Pollard the Bulls may well be cannon fodder all season long. It is also worth noting that the Bulls made two line breaks in the entire match. It is almost impossible to be that impotent on attack. Even for the greatest kick chase team in Super Rugby history.

18. The Kings

Rd 1: 8-43 v Sharks

Last week the Eastern Province Rugby AGM needed armed police guards. That’s next level for a rugby meeting. The Kings would be vastly improved if they were armed. Their forward pack combined for 25 metres in the game, less than half the running metres of the Sharks number eight, Daniel du Preez. That pretty much sums that up.

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