JR Press Conference: Game 2 in NZ

Perth Wildcats head coach John Rillie says his team is determined to bounce back from last weekend’s season opener as they prepare to face the New Zealand Breakers in Auckland on Saturday.

Rillie admitted the Wildcats’ performance against Tasmania was below expectations, particularly in terms of pace and offensive flow.

“Look at the way we played the other day, there’s a lot of disappointment within the group,” Rillie said. “The pace and just our style of play was not the way we’re trying to get to, and the players want to rectify that this weekend.”

Rillie highlighted that the Wildcats managed only 67 field goal attempts against the JackJumpers, well short of the tempo he expects.

“We want to be in the 80s or low 90s,” he said. “The more shot attempts we get, the more opportunity there is for every player. I want Mason Jones to be aggressive, whether that’s scoring the ball or facilitating for his teammates.”

Saturday’s clash will be just Jones’ sixth practice with the group, but Rillie praised the guard’s vocal leadership and the way he has already asserted himself as the team’s point guard.

“The addition of Mason was about finding the right player but also the right personality for our group,” Rillie said. “He’s vocal, he’s a leader, and he needs to be that for us.”

While Jones will play a major role offensively, Rillie stressed that the Wildcats’ style is driven from the defensive end.

“The way we play is predicated on what happens defensively,” he said. “Yes, Mason will be featured on offence, but whether we’re taking the ball out of the net or rebounding really dictates who has it in their hands.”

The Breakers enter the game 0-2 and will be desperate to notch their first win, but Rillie said the focus remains on his group’s response.

“Like us, they’re a little wounded and disappointed in the way they’ve played,” he said. “So you’ll have two teams trying to figure out how to win a game. I’m more worried about how we come out and perform ourselves.”

Rillie noted the Wildcats have a strong track record on similar road trips to New Zealand and expects his side to be ready despite the quick turnaround.

“We’ve won two of the three games in this type of travel situation during my time here,” he said. “We go in, we’re all about our business, and when we tip it up on Saturday night, we need to be ready to go.”

The Wildcats meet the Breakers at Spark Arena 27 September, as both teams search for their first victory of Hungry Jacks NBL26.

Perth Wildcats v New Zealand Breakers
Tip off: 3:30pm AWST
Watch: Disney+ and Kayo