In fact, the Fijian-born forward will have to make an emergency stop at home having only packed for a weekend trip to the South Island.

Auckland-based Vukona, of Nelson Giants and New Zealand Breakers, made the final cut ahead of emerging Waikato Piston, Ben Hill.

The 24-year-old Vukona was omitted from the squad for recent tours of Australia and South America and had not expected to be in Tab Baldwin's plans.

He also admitted he had prepared only for the two-match series against Qatar in the southern cities of Dunedin and Invercargill.

He told The New Zealand Herald: "I hoped I'd done enough just to be looked at. I hadn't planned on this.

"I need to stop off in Auckland and get a few things for Japan."

Vukona contributed four points, six rebounds and two assists in 11 minutes during the team's 99-76 win in Southland on Sunday, but Baldwin said Vukona's extra experience gave him the edge over Hill.

"We felt Benny demonstrated at times a little bit of inexperience at this level, which concerned us," he said.

"We felt comfortable that Mika would give us more of what we wanted, particularly at the defensive end and in rebounding.

"He showed against Qatar that he had a great desire to work his way back into the squad."

Baldwin did have words of praise for Hill, who he feels can make his mark in the future.

"Very few players walk into this environment and stand out right away," said the coach.

"I think he can be a great contributor to Tall Blacks basketball, not just a guy who sits on the fringes.

"He could really work his way into being a key performer for the team."