Water polo: China obstacle to NZ finals bid

Lynley Smith fires a shot during team training yesterday at the Millennium Institute. Photo / Paul Estcourt

The rapid rise of China as a women's water polo force has made life difficult for New Zealand as they prepare to try to qualify for the world league finals in Russia next month.

New Zealand, who made the finals three years ago, are in a four-way double round robin in Adelaide this weekend and at West Wave Aquatic Centre in Henderson next week with world No 3 Australia, No 5 China and No 18 Japan.

The top two progress to the eight-nation final in Kirishi, 115km from St Petersburg.

Australia have always been formidable, but China stepped up in the leadup to the Beijing Olympics last year.

Not a nation to do things by halves, and determined to be a force in home water, the Chinese beefed up their programme to such an extent they finished fifth at the Olympics.

New Zealand are ranked 12th, based on their results at the last world championships in 2007 in Melbourne.

"I'd like to think we're in with a chance to qualify," captain Anna Sieprath said yesterday.

It's a tall order but New Zealand have several experienced players in their squad who have done time on scholarships at American universities.

Six players remain from the 2006 squad who made the league finals - Sieprath and her Marist teammates Amy Logan and Kelly Mason,North Harbour's Lynley Smithand Wellington pair, goalkeeper Carina Harache and Kirsten Hudson.

"Our core group of girls have been round a while and having new faces always keeps you on your toes," Sieprath added.

Also looming on the horizon are the world champs in Rome in July, where New Zealand are aiming to push themselves towards a top eight finish.

New Zealand's men, world ranked No 15, are up against Australia, Iran and Japan, their qualifying group running concurrently with the women.

They finished fourth in their group last year but are confident of a better showing this time, with a trip to Podgorica , Montenegro, and the men's world finals the reward if they make the top two.

THE SQUAD
New Zealand women's Asia-Pacific squad: Anna Sieprath (c), Amy Logan, Sam Schubert, Emily Cox, Lauren Sieprath, Kelly Mason (Marist, Auckland), Lynley Smith, Ashley Smallfield, Jasmine Miles, Dana Harvey (North Harbour), Carina Harache (Harbour City, Wellington), Kirsten Hudson (Maranui, Wellington).