‘No fangirling’ as Tall Ferns well beaten by star-studded USA team

Caitlin Clark of USA shoots against the New Zealand Tall Ferns at the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament between New Zealand in Puerto Rico.
Photo: EDGARDO MEDINA / AFP

The scoreline might not suggest it but Tall Ferns captain Tayla Dalton felt her side played some of their best basketball against world champions the United States.

The Tall Ferns suffered their fourth loss of the World Cup qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico, going down 101-46 to the USA.

New Zealand started strongly and went shot for shot with the WNBA-laden US side for the first few minutes before the Americans took control.

The USA, who have already qualified for the World Cup in Germany later this year, led by 15 after the first quarter, and extended that to 36 at half time.

The Kiwis put in a solid shift to lose the third quarter by just three before Team USA outscored the New Zealanders 23-7 in the final quarter.

Sharne Robati top scored for the Tall Ferns with 11 points and also had six rebounds.

Rhyne Howard of the Atlanta Dream top scored for the US with 18 points, while Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever had 14.

“We talked about no fangirling on court and right from the get-go we played New Zealand basketball,” Dalton said afterwards.

“We did our jersey proud and it was so fun competing against some of the best players in the world and there were some glimpses where we were playing really good basketball.

“We were playing as a team and it’s not every day that you get to play the USA team, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and we gave it our all today and I’m really proud of the girls.”

Ferns coach Natalie Hurst admitted the Americans were very impressive.

“They swarm you, they’re athletic and they can all shoot the basketball. They keep putting the pressure on for 40 minutes.

“They’re the best, a powerhouse of basketball, amazing for our girls to get out on the court and see them live as well,” Hurst said.

New Zealand’s last game is against hosts Puerto Rico and depending on other results a win could still gain them a World Cup berth.

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