Day Two gets underway at Rio Olympics with Brisbane locals in the thick of the action

BRISBANE will be well-represented on Day Two of the Rio Olympics with locals represented in basketball, hockey, judo, rugby 7s, swimming and water polo.

Local NBA player Cameron Bairstow is back in Brisbane. Picture: Patria Jannides

DAY Two of the Rio Games sees Greater Brisbane locals challenge for honours in the sports of basketball, water polo, hockey, judo, rugby 7s and swimming.

The locals highlighted below will be in action and will do us proud in their chosen sports as they achieve their dream of representing Australia at the Olympic Games.

Quest will follow all of our athletes for the duration of the Games and keep readers up to date with their performances. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and photos of our Olympic heroes. We wish Team Australia the best of luck!

BASKETBALL:

AUSTRALIAN OPALS versus BRAZIL — Sunday, 6.30am

AUSTRALIA will start their quest for a maiden Olympic gold medal when they face the host nation in the seventh-ranked Brazil on Sunday morning.

The Opals, featuring Cayla George as well as former SEQ Stars players Erin Phillips and Rachel Jarry, are ranked No. 2 in the world and are coming off impressive performances in the lead up to the Olympics where they even pushed rivals the USA just a week ago.

Australia's Erin Phillips guards France's Celine Dumerc, left, during the second half of a women's exhibition basketball game, Friday, July 29, 2016, in Bridgeport, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Rio will be the team’s first Olympic campaign under coach Brendan Joyce, who led the team to third at the 2014 World Championships. And after winning three silvers and two bronze medals at the last five Olympics, the Opals are ready to go one step further and take gold in Rio.

But the team must be on their game during the pool stages as one loss could mean a semi-final match up with the USA.

AUSTRALIAN BOOMERS versus FRANCE — Sunday, 3.15am

THE Boomers want to make history in Rio by winning Australia’s first ever men’s Olympic basketball medal but there will be no easing into the tournament for Australia who face a star-studded France team in their first game.

This is arguably Australia’s most talented Olympic team with NBA stars Andrew Bogut, Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova as well as Runcorn residents Cameron Bairstow and Brock Motum, who both have some experience in the world’s top league.

Runcorn Boomer Cameron Bairstow. Picture: Patria Jannides

Former Southern Districts Spartans player Chris Goulding will also play a significant role for the Boomers with his outside shooting and scoring ability.

But Australia need to overcome their history of slow starts at past Olympic Games against France, who feature NBA stars Tony Parker, Boris Diaw, Rudy Gobert and more.

Coach Andrej Lemanis’ side had mixed results in lead up games to Rio, beating Argentina and China while also losing to Brazil.

WATER POLO:

BRISBANE Barracudas captain Rhys Howden will skipper the Australian Sharks men’s water polo team as they begin their journey for a maiden Olympic medal.

Despite the success of the Australian women’s side, who have won four medals in five Olympic appearances, the world No. 5 ranked men have yet to finish in the top three at the Games.

Enter their “incredible leader”, Howden.

Australian water polo player Rhys Howden lives in New Farm and is a former Indooroopilly State School student. Photograph Renae Droop

“Rhys is an incredible leader, you can see it by what he does with the team but also what he does within the club here at the Barracudas,” club president Tycho Buningh said.

“He has all the qualities of a great captain and I’m sure he will lead the team well in Rio.”

The men, who finished seventh in London in 2012, begin their campaign against Brazil at 9.50am AEST on Sunday.

Their best results came in 1984 in Los Angeles and at the Barcelona Games in 1992, where they finished fifth.

RUGBY 7S:

AUSTRALIA’S quest for a medal in women’s rugby 7s will kick-off when they take on Colombia on Sunday morning.

Greater Brisbane locals to take to the field for the game are former Deception Bay resident Evania Pelite, former Brisbane State High School student Charlotte Caslick, and Gumdale’s Shannon Perry.

The side has been rocked by the potential absence of 2014 World Series Player of the Year Emilee Cherry as she battles a hamstring strain ahead of the clash, which kicks off at 2.30am AEST.

However, Parry, the side’s vice-captain is confident the current world series champions have the depth to overcome Cherry’s potential absence.

“I have no doubt that she will make the best decision for the team because that is the type of player she is,” she told rugby.com.au.

Charlotte Caslick (right) and Skipper, Shannon Parry. Picture: John Feder/The Australian.

“At this stage it is 50-50 whether she will make it through or not but we have the best support team and medical staff on deck here to help us though.

“If she is ruled out we have plenty of players in the background ready to go.”

The side will also take on Fiji at 7.30am Sunday, before a clash with the US at 2.30am Monday.

JUDO:

LOGAN pocket rocket Chloe Rayner will again pit her skills against the world’s best when the 48kg judo competition continues today.

Ohori Judo Club member Chloe Rayner of Holmview will represent Australia at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Women's 48kg division — Picture: Richard Walker

The 19-year-old is a former student at Beenleigh’s Trinity College and won a silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

“I think being my first Games and being so young I have no expectations, I’m the underdog just going go out there and do the best I can.”

SWIMMING:

After the disappointment of the London Olympics, the Australian Swimming team will be out to redeem its reputation as one of the world’s most formidable outfits at the Rio Games.

And after showing impressive form in the pool in recent months, the chances of us again rising to the top of the sport are indeed strong.

A host of talented Greater Brisbane swimmers have helped restore Australian swimming’s reputation. Locals set to dive into competition today in Rio are:

— Keryn McMaster (400m IM) 3.32am

— Brittany Elmslie 2-4.20am 4x100m freestyle relay heats; 11am-12.55pm 4x100m freestyle relay final

— Cate and Bronte Campbell 2-4.20am 4x100m freestyle relay heats; 11am-12.55pm 4x100m freestyle relay final

— Madeline Groves 2-4.20am 100m butterfly heats; 11am-12.55pm 100m butterfly semi finals

— Emma McKeon 2-4.20am 100m butterfly heats and 4x100m freestyle relay heats; 11am-12.55pm 100m butterfly semi finals and 4x100m freestyle relay final

Swimmer Keryn McMaster. Picture: Richard Walker

HOCKEY:

When it comes to talented hockey players, Brisbane is certainly spoilt for choice.

Our city is well-represented in both the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos — both on and off the field.

Leading the local Kookaburras charge is former Clairvaux MacKillop College student Jake Whetton.

While his Olympic campaign has been marred by injury, the tenacious 25-year-old, who missed several major tournaments through injury, including Australia’s gold medal performance at the Champions Trophy, was adamant he would make selection for Rio.

Jake Whetton.

His persistence and determination throughout his rehabilitation paid off and he will be looking for a strong performance today when his side battles New Zealand at 2.30am.

Alongside him will be fellow Brisbane locals Daniel Beale, Matthew Swann, Jamie Dwyer and Mark Knowles.

And the local impact is not only on the field for the Kookaburra’s with Brisbane’s Graham Reid steering the side from the coaching box.

The local contingent is almost as strong in the formidable Hockeyroos line-up with Greater Brisbane represented by former Boondall resident and Commercial Hockey Club player Madonna Blyth, Jodie Kenny, Gabi Nance and Karri McMahon.

Blyth holds the record for the most games played for Australia and is regarded by many as a true legend of the sport. She is expected to lead the Hockeyroos out against Great Britain in the side’s first game at 9.30am.

Australian women's hockey Madonna Blyth. Photo Marie Nirme