Oceania Challenge marks new beginning for New Zealand men's programme

The New Zealand men’s water polo team has completed a hard-fought three-match test series against the Aussie Sharks in Perth, Western Australia, as part of the Oceania qualifier for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.

Australia, featuring a squad stacked with nine Paris 2024 Olympians, claimed the series 3-0 with wins of 18-7, 24-9, and 21-9. The tests were played in front of large, vocal crowds at the Tom Hoad Aquatic Centre in Perth.

While the results favoured the home side, the series marks a crucial development point for the Kiwi men as the team begins its long-term journey toward qualification for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.

A new beginning for New Zealand men’s water polo

Head coach Joe Kayes, a dual international who has represented both New Zealand and Australia, views this series as the launchpad for a new chapter in New Zealand water polo.

“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.” stated Kayes. 

“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.”

The team featured a mix of domestic-based players and those who have recently returned from U.S. colleges. Several athletes were unavailable due to overseas commitments. 

Bright spots and learning opportunities

Despite facing one of the world’s top teams, the Kiwis showed moments of promise throughout the series, with the team creating offensive chances even under pressure.

“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,” Kayes explained.

“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.”

Looking ahead, the team has a full international calendar for 2025, including the World Aquatics U20 Water Polo Championships, FISU World University Games, and Division 2 World Cup, providing plenty of opportunities to continue building cohesion and experience.

Match results

First Test:
Australia 18 – New Zealand 7
NZ scorers: Gene Baggott, Josef Schuler (2), Keegan Wicken, Theo Bos, Cole Phillips, Campbell Hulbert.

Second Test:
Australia 24 – New Zealand 9
NZ scorers: Flynn Howarth (3), Hamish Booker (2), Gene Baggott, Moe Gath, Hamish Hegarty, Tom Patten.

Third Test:
Australia 21 – New Zealand 9
NZ scorers: Keegan Wicken (2), Josef Schuler, Campbell Hulbert, Gene Baggott (2), Theo Bos (2), Cole Phillips.