Australia clinch Rio 2016 berth with second victory over New Zealand at FIBA Oceania Championships

Australia beat New Zealand for the second time to secure a spot at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio ©FIBA

Australia’s men’s basketball team have secured a spot at next year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro after they beat rivals New Zealand 89-79 to claim the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Oceania Championships title in Wellington.

Following a fiercely-contested 71-59 victory in the first match of the two-game series, the Australian Boomers knew another win would book them a spot at next year’s Olympics and they were able to clinch another confident success, with seven players scoring between eight and 14 points.

Matthew Dellavedova led the Australian charge with 14, as well as five assists, with David Andersen chipping in with 11 and Andrew Bogut with 10.

“Our strength is in our depth, which enables us to play at a sustained level for 40 minutes,” Australia coach Andrej Lemanis said.

“Some of that is defensively, but offensively we’re not reliant on a player to carry the load for us.

“We're able to use all the tools we have and tonight I was particularly pleased with the understanding of the group of our advantages at different times and how to get those guys the ball.”

Australia produced an excellent display to claim an 89-79 success which handed them the FIBA Oceania Championships — Australia claimed an 89-79 success which handed them the FIBA Oceania Championships title ©FIBA

New Zealand’s Corey Webster topped the scoring charts for his side with 16, despite being unable to find his range for large periods of the contest, but it proved to be in vein as the Tall Blacks succumbed to their second successive defeat.

The Australians appeared keen to silence the home crowd from the off as they went into a 21-14 lead in the opening quarter.

They were then able to establish a 40-33 advantage by the half-time interval, thanks largely to consecutive baskets from both Chris Goulding and Bogut.

The hosts suffered a disastrous start to the third stanza as Australia asserted their dominance, extending their lead to an ominous 13 points to go into the final period 66-53 in front.

Australia’s lead reached 20 before a late rally from the Tall Blacks pulled them to within five as the crowd sensed an unlikely comeback, but they were undone by the Boomers, who managed to see out a deserved victory.

The loser will also still have a chance to qualify, having to settle for a place in the 2016 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Australia have won the last two editions of the bey iennial two-team event, with New Zealand having last emerged victorious in 2009.