The Wairarapa Paddlers Club will have a big say in the outcome of the Oceania Canoe Polo Championships being played in Palmerston North next weekend.
Three members of the club's Expose line-up are part of the eight-man Kiwi squad, including the new captain Carl Duncan. The others are Jason Dalziell,who is based in Palmerston North, and Aucklander Mike Taylor.
That number would probably have been increased to four had the former Makoura College student Kyzen McDonald been available for selection. He will, however, play for Expose in an invitation event tomorrow which will also feature the Australian Oceania team. That too will be held in Palmerston North.
Duncan and McDonald have been among New Zealand's best canoe polo exponents for several years with Duncan, son of Masterton sporting enthusiasts Rob and Kerry Duncan, having been a constant in the national side since 2005, and vice-captain at the last two world and Oceania championships.
New Zealand are the defending champions at the Oceania competition. They beat Australia for that title in 2009 and further enhanced their international reputation when they placed fifth at the world championships last year.
Carl Duncan knows Australia will be hell bent on revenge but he expects New Zealand to fight fire with fire as their players push for inclusion in the teamfor next year's worlds in Poland.
"There's a lot at stake and I am sure everybody will be up for the challenge," he said.
