The Aussie Sharks men’s water polo ripped through New Zealand 3-0 in a test series in Perth, Western Australia to see who would represent Oceania at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore this July.
The Sharks, boosted by nine Paris Olympians in the squad, won the three-test series played during the 167-team, 11-day Australian Youth Championships at the Tom Hoad Aquatic Centre, Perth, Western Australia.
The tests were won 18-7, 24-9 and 21-9 in front of crowds totalling more than 1000 per match.
For Australia, it was a series it had to win to confirm its superiority over its Trans-Tasman neighbour while for the Kiwis it was the start of something big.
New Zealand’s programme will soon be defined with the Brisbane Olympics the ultimate goal.
The team is coached by Joe Kayes, a former dual international for New Zealand and Australia.
“Our goal is 2032 (Brisbane Olympic Games) and our intention is very clear. Somebody made a comment to me the other day, ‘we’re going to be there regardless’, so it was to get on board and support the team.”
The reference was made that Australia would fill the host position in 2032 and New Zealand would claim the Oceania berth and the Kiwis would play the Olympics for the first time.
“The guys haven’t played together since 2022. We left seven or eight in the (United) States this week (at colleges) . It’s only upwards from here. It’s very positive; some really nice bits of play, but there’s no question about it, they’re a top-eight team in the world and you can’t play like that with those kinds of guys.”
On scoring plenty of goals against Australia, Kayes said: “The positive thing there was that we were creating some opportunities with a set of rules that haven’t been played by our guys. Lots of our boys haven’t played since national league in New Zealand, which finished in July last year.
“This is absolutely what we are calling our day one; this trip and looking forward to the next one. We have the 20s’ world champs, the University Games and the Div 2 World Cup at the end of the year, so it’s a big year for these boys.”
For the Aussie Sharks, the series was a shake-down ahead of Singapore as it did not contest the World Cup this year.
Assistant coach Andrew Yanitsas, who took control of the team in the third test as head coach Tim Hamill sat at the back of the bench, said: “The benefit of this series was getting the team back together. We got some guys back from overseas for the tournament and it’s about getting team cohesion and getting all the guys who played national league and get some other guys back to play and train for the ultimate goal, which is Singapore.”
On a handful of youngsters given their senior international debuts, Yanitsas said it was “exciting and excellent”.
“A couple will go and play the world junior championships in June. It’s really important that we do that so they can play with older guys, guys with Olympic experience, but also give them an opportunity in a good environment.”
The series was officiated by Australia’s Paris Olympics referee Nick Hodgers and United States’ Scott Voltz.
Results:
First Test: Australia 18 (N Power 6, L Pavillard 4, A Lambie 3, M Maksimovic, T Putt, M Byrnes, D Magasanik, T Glanznig, Z Izzard) New Zealand 7 (G Baggot, J Schuler 2, K Wicken, T Boss, C Phillips).
Second Test: Australia 24 (A Lambie 5, J Mercep, T Glanznig 3, M Maksimovic, C Negus, T Putt, D Magasanik, Z Izzard 2, M Byrnes, N Power, T Mutsch) New Zealand 9 (F Howarth 3, H Booker 2, G Baggott, M Gath, H Hegarty, T Patten).
Third Test: Australia 21 (A Lambie, M Byrnes 4, M Maksimovic, C Negus, J Mercep, T Glanznig, D McJannett 2, N Power, T Putt, D Magasanik) New Zealand 9 (G Baggot, K Wicken 2, C Phillips, J Schuler, C Hulber).
Australian wins series 3-0.