A testing series against Japan is the perfect way to prepare for the Olympic qualifying showdown against Australia says New Zealand women's basketball coach Kennedy Kereama.
The 22nd-ranked Tall Ferns host world No.15 Japan in the first of three Tests in Christchurch on Wednesday.
The New Zealanders have barely gathered their breath since returning from the William Jones Cup tournament in Taiwan, where they played five games in five days.
They lost their first four before thumping a United States selection by 25 points in their last game, reflecting the team's progress according to Kereama.
He says there is little time to waste as they build towards the two-leg Oceania Olympic qualifying series against the Opals this month.
World No.2 Australia beat Japan 2-1 in a series last month, providing New Zealand with an ideal litmus test.
"We have had a great opportunity to build on our style of play and now we are all looking forward to playing against a very good Japanese team," he said.
"The tour and this home series give us good preparation for Australia and also a very good insight into what we are up against once Oceania merges with Asia in 2017."
The remaining games are on Friday and Sunday.
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