Business as usual for Taipans

It’s business as usual for the Cairns Taipans this week, despite the threat of tropical cyclone Jasper making land, throwing their home Round 11 clash against New Zealand into potential disarray.

The NBL released a statement earlier today stating “early indications are we will be able to proceed with the game”, but that any decision will continue to be guided by expert advice.

The Taipans will enter Round 11 off the back of a 15-point win over Adelaide, where they scored a season-high 116 points.

“[It’s] no different,” head coach Adam Forde said. “we’re here and it’s business, and that’s what’s important.

“Our focus has been when we’re here we need to train harder and get better and outside noise and influence doesn’t change.

“The media coverage of tropical cyclone Jasper is the same media coverage we’re getting about player awards and Next Stars. It’s about keeping the mental focus here.

“Obviously you get a unique experience coming up to Cairns with the rainforest and the wildlife and a tropical cyclone just adds to their experience. Hopefully a crocodile doesn’t wash up in their backyard or the pool in Cairns One or something.”

New Zealand will fly to Brisbane ahead of the game and then move onto Cairns, should it be deemed safe to do so.

The Breakers have been at the centre of a recent proverbial storm around travel within the league after comments made by Adelaide’s DJ Vasiljevic and former head coach CJ Bruton in the aftermath of the 36ers’ Round 9 loss in Christchurch.

Forde says the mental toughness of the tough international travel schedule faced by the Breakers will ensure they will be ready to go for the game.

“I think there’s been enough talk about travel schedules and stuff. It was no different from when we went to Christchurch and landed at 1-2 in the morning. We’ll suit up ready to play and they’ll be the same,” Forde continued.

“They’re (the Breakers) a mentally tough team, they’ve probably got the toughest travel schedule out of anybody in the league having to go through customs for every away game – that’s taxing enough – I don’t think they’ll be fazed by any particular holdup at an airport.”

Cairns and New Zealand are scheduled to lock horns on Friday, December 15 at 7:30pm AEDT.