Taipans bite back with big man boost

Cairns star Sam Waardenburg is set to make his return this weekend, after a long spell on the sidelines due to injury.

Waardenburg hasn’t played all year as he’s fought to overcome an ankle issue, but the club has confirmed he’ll be fit to take on Tasmania on Saturday night in Cairns.

The former Next Generation Award winner will be a huge addition for the Taipans, having averaged 14.5 points and 7.3 rebounds a game across the NBL25 campaign.

The news isn’t as good for young gun Reyne Smith, who will have to wait until Round 15 to make his return from a plantar fascia tear.

Marquee man Jack McVeigh missed Cairns’ win over Illawarra as he awaits the birth of his first child.