NBL and A-League sides enjoying Launceston

For New Zealand Breaker Rob Loe, Wellington Phoenix's Alex Rufer and their teammates, they haven't been home this year, based in Launceston and Wollongong respectively.

"It showed from the first game to the second game the support we got, it's been awesome to see them kind of jump on our backs and support us a little bit," Loe said of the Launceston crowd.

"Going forward, we've got four more games in Launceston so seeing the fanbase grow here would be awesome and getting the home support that we've been missing the whole season so far will be great."

ELSEWHERE IN SPORT

Rufer added: "It's been a new experience and we've found we've actually got a really good fanbase here in Australia so to obviously broaden that, it's been really good.

"Now [that] the borders are open, after a few more games here we can hopefully play in New Zealand too."

The thrill of playing in front of a genuine home crowd will have to wait, with the Phoenix taking to UTAS Stadium against Western United on Thursday and the Breakers hosting Cairns Taipans at the Silverdome on Friday.

Both New Zealand sides are in form, with the Phoenix winning three of their last five - their losses coming against Melbourne City and Macarthur FC.

"We're ready, we're excited and we're prepared for this," Rufer said.

"It's quite similar to Wellington, the weather, so we've struggled to adapt now because we've adapted obviously to the Australian heat."

The Breakers are on a two-game streak, beating the Bullets at the Silverdome and exacting revenge on the Wildcats in Perth after dropping their first Launceston game to them in overtime.

"We've got a big game against Cairns who are bottom of the table right now but they will be looking to get off the bottom just like we're looking to go on a bit more of a streak," Loe said.

"We've won two games in a row now, we are looking to continue that to three and hopefully four."

While the Phoenix's short stay marks Swiss-born Rufer's first time in Tasmania, the central midfielder backed the state's bid for an A-League outfit to stand alongside the NBL's JackJumpers.

"I haven't done too much exploring as yet but I've enjoyed my time here and I know the other boys have too," Rufer said.

"I'm pretty positive with the fans that we've had this season and Western [United] have good fans too, I can't see any trouble with having another team here at all."

Loe added: "It's huge to see the JackJumpers come into the league, adding another team.

"It's great for the sport and great for the sport down here especially for the fans to see some quality basketball.

"The excitement is building and it's exciting for us players to get to know the layout down here so that when we do come down next season and they're playing, we can have some home feel almost."