Boomers will depart for Rio without Ingles, faces difficult task to win medal in Olympics

The Australian Boomers will start to depart for Rio on Wednesday without expectant father Joe Ingles as the national team begins their difficult journey to win a medal in the Olympics.

The Herald Sun reports that Ingles will remain in Melbourne for several days as wife Renae is expected to give birth to twins this week. He will catch up with the Boomers, who will be playing tune-up games in Argentina and a three-match series in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Ingles’ twins are considered a miracle as he and his wife initially said that they will have a hard time conceiving. The Boomers are very supportive of Ingles delaying his flight to Brazil.

Dallas Mavericks centre Andrew Bogut will be joining the team on the flight to Rio. But his availability is still in doubt as he was unable to participate on the court during last week’s camp.

The Boomers would also need to improve following a not so dominant showing in two games against a US college side at Hisense Arena last week.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Mike Montgomery, who was the coach of the PAC 12 All-Stars that faced the Boomers, said that Australia will have a difficult time in winning a medal at the Olympics. He did say that the team has the right attitude going into Rio.

"I don't know who is playing for all the various countries – it's going to be difficult for them but they play very well together, they understand each other's strengths and weaknesses and if they continue to move the ball and if it goes down for them then they will have a chance,” he said.

Melbourne United star Chris Goulding believes, though, that the camp and the two games were valuable stepping stones for the Boomers. He said that the two games were “crucial to get the cobwebs out.”