Rucker: 'Snakes to unleash venom'

The Cairns Taipans may sit bottom of the NBL standings, but Derek Rucker believes they can still make a late run at it this season.

“I had them last initially, I just didn’t think they were going to have enough firepower to finish anywhere above,” Rucker said on NBL Now.

“I think I’ve slightly changed. They may be able to make a run.”

Cairns has been hit with more injuries than any other team in the competition, with only four players having played every game.

“It just starts to eat away at the fibre of your confidence and your self-esteem as a team,” Rucker said.

“It’s really hard to build any type of camaraderie on the playing court when you don’t have people available to train.”

But with the bulk of their team starting to return, and support coming for star Rob Edwards, the Taipans are finally having some good luck. 

In Round 3, Cairns beat Tasmania in what was the only time this year that they were able to begin a game with every player available and healthy.

Currently on an eight-game losing streak, the Taipans will welcome back Pedro Bradshaw in the coming weeks to bring them back to full strength. The question perhaps is, is there enough time left?

“If they can stay healthy, I have faith in Forde. I have faith in that team that they can turn things around,” Rucker said.

“I know their record looks horrible right now, but they’re going to win a good share of their remaining home games.

“So if they can add on just three of four road victories, then they’re going to be right in the hunt.”

The Taipans host Sydney on Friday night at Cairns Convention Centre, with tip-off from 7.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.