Water Polo: Kiwis confident of making world finals

Dan Jackson (left) and his New Zealand teammates will again meet rivals Australia in the pool. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The New Zealand water polo side is out to break new ground by making the world league finals in Europe and captain Lachy Tijsen is confident they will do so.

The side leaves New Zealand tomorrow for a Sydney training camp which will also include an Australian team stacked with overseas-based professionals.

The first leg of the Asia/Oceania qualifier tournament, made up of the transtasman rivals plus Japan and Iran, is in Adelaide next weekend.

A week later, the teams complete the second leg at Henderson, with the top two making the world finals in Montenegro in mid-June.

Australia dominates water polo in this region. New Zealand missed out on qualifying last year, beating Iran but falling to Japan.

Tijsen believes the odds of joining Australia at the finals are much better this time.

"The qualifying tournament was played in Japan last year which meant dealing with a different culture and their referees," said the 24-year-old, from Wellington club Maranui.

"Japan has lost its coach and national training centre due to funding issues so their team isn't centralised anymore. We've been together a year and should be much stronger. Playing under our referees also makes a difference.

"Five or six of the New Zealand team have played overseas which helps. In my opinion, our chances are very high."

Tijsen - who has been working his way back from a shoulder injury - has returned to the New Zealand league after playing professionally in France. Joseph Kayes, Eamon Lui, Matt Reid and Dan Jackson play semi-professionally in Australia.

If New Zealand qualify, the next issue will be raising the funds to travel to Europe. Manager Ian Gunthorp believes it might cost each player $8000.