He's a long way from conceding anything just yet, but Cairns Taipans coach Aaron Fearne had no hesitation in labelling the NZ Breakers the team everyone's chasing this Australian NBL season.

For a guy whose team had just rattled off five straight, Fearne's anointment of the New Zealand club is surprising. But then again he had just witnessed first-hand the power of Kirk and co as the Snakes had their winning streak snapped in emphatic fashion at the North Shore Events Centre on Thursday night.

For the best part of three quarters the Taipans answered every run the Breakers made as these two top-table heavyweights went toe-to-toe in a bruising battle that had the 3000-plus crowd enthralled.

But then, on the back of Kirk Penney's buzzer-beating trifecta to end the third period, the Breakers went up a gear. The Snakes, plain worn out from spending so much on hanging in the contest, were out of answers.

The Breakers went on a 17-3 run. Extended it to 21-7. In a blink this baby was over, long before it settled at 93-79. Even better, the impetus was provided by an all-Kiwi five, with both imports and Aussie legend CJ Bruton watching and applauding from the bench. 

To say Fearne was impressed by the Kiwi club, now 8-2, is like suggesting Penney heated up a little. And it's the depth that enables Andrej Lemanis to sit crucial figures and still get big runs from his team that has the respected coach positively agog.

"I've said from day one they're the most talented [team in the league] by a mile," said Fearne, who's been around long enough to recognise a thoroughbred from walking dog meat. "You've got Kirk who probably shouldn't even be playing in this league, he should be playing somewhere else, CJ and the international experience they've got, they'll always step up and enjoy playing these big games.

"I think we learnt a lot about ourselves. We're trying to get to where that group has been for these last few years. We've played well, we've played some really good basketball, and I'm proud of the guys. But we played a very talented team tonight, and they'll be tough to beat."

Asked if the Breakers possessed the deepest roster in the NBL, Fearne nodded vigorously.

"By a mile. Their development players probably should be playing. They've got talent coming out their ass. It's credit to their development programme, they've got a big base here, and Judd [Flavell] does a great job with the development programme and it pays off. It's a lot better to have all that talent than to be searching at the end of your bench."

Boxscore