Breakers chase revenge on return to Perth

10 Oct 2026

new zealand beakers

Sam Mennenga wants Perth payback and Dillon Boucher says travel won’t derail a fifth title bid.

By

NBL.com.au

The New Zealand Breakers are one of the Hungry Jack’s NBL’s most in-form teams, having recently defeated both Cairns and Adelaide.

They will look to make it three wins from as many matches on Saturday when they travel to RAC Arena to face Perth.

Adding to the Breakers’ motivation for that Round 4 fixture is the fact that their last defeat came at that very venue, against the Wildcats, last month.

“We respect every team in this League,” New Zealand’s Sam Mennenga said.

“Results already this season show that no one is safe – any team can beat any team on a given night.

“Right now, our focus is on Perth and not looking further ahead – a bit clichéd, I know, but one game at a time.

“We feel we missed an opportunity there just a week or so back, and as a group there is a determination to put that right on Saturday.

“We will scout Perth and prepare for what we think they will bring, but as has been the case all season, we are focusing on us first: making sure we bring the best version of the Breakers from tip-off and play the way we know we can play.

“If we do that, we are confident results will come our way. We back ourselves for sure.”

As Mennenga mentions, Saturday’s fixture is the second time in three rounds that the Breakers have played in Perth, as part of a busy period that also includes time in Adelaide.

But the club is embracing the challenge of travel as it attempts to keep its winning streak going.

“Travel is a huge factor in our season and it has been since the club first took tentative steps in the NBL,” Breakers President of Basketball Dillon Boucher said.

“It has not stopped us winning four championships and is certainly not about to become an excuse as we chase a fifth this season.

“We prepare for it, we are ready for it, and we do everything we can to mitigate the downside.

“In fact, we embrace it as a bit of a superpower, a chance to build strong bonds within the team and cohesion on and off the floor.”

Saturday’s fixture at RAC Arena tips off at 9.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN, 9 and 9Now.