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AAP
AAP
Sport
Jasper Bruce

Breakers NBL game shelved by COVID-19

NZ Breakers are unable to field the minimum-required eight players for their NBL clash in Perth. (Andrew Cornaga/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

The NBL clash between the Perth Wildcats and the New Zealand Breakers has been postponed after a mass outbreak of COVID-19.

Several positive cases, coupled with the New Zealand government's seven-day isolation-period rules, meant the Breakers could not call on the minimum-required eight players for Friday's trip to Perth.

The match, which will be rescheduled, is the first to be scrapped due to COVID-19 this season after outbreaks played havoc with fixtures in the last campaign.

"The League has enjoyed 74 uninterrupted games so far this season and views this particular situation as a minor setback," the NBL said in a statement on Thursday.

"The League will work with the Breakers ahead of their next scheduled game on Wednesday in Brisbane and will continue to monitor the situation."

Meanwhile, the Illawarra Hawks have appointed Stu Taggart as their new CEO after Nick Haslam stepped down to pursue other opportunities.

Taggart previously held roles at Football Australia and Rugby Australia, and most recently was CEO of the UCI Road World Cycling Championships held in Wollongong in September.

"I am excited to have the chance to build on the success of the UCI Road World Championships for our city and to work with a brand that our community truly loves," Taggart said in a statement.

"Basketball is also on a strong growth trajectory here in Australia, so it's a great time to get involved."

As part of his new position, Taggart has also been named CEO of the Hawks' parent company Crest Sport & Entertainment LLC.

His appointment comes after Illawarra's head coach Brian Goorjian and president Dorry Kordahi both stepped down before the season began.

Amid the upheaval, along with long-term injuries to imports Justin Robinson and George King, the last-placed Hawks have managed only two wins from their first 14 games under new coach Jacob Jackomas.

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