SYDNEY - The New Zealand junior men's and women's teams have been shielded from bushfire-ravaged Canberra after the cancellation of the Australian interstate championships.
New Zealand water polo officials were told yesterday the competition - essentially a tune-up for the Oceania qualifiers for the world championships - had been postponed, leavingthe New Zealanders to hastily arrange training matches in Sydney.
"It's become a bit of a nightmare - the bushfires are close to one of the pools so we have to sit tight," men's team manager Chris Hayward said.
The Oceania qualifiers were to be held in the Australian capital next weekend, but may now he rescheduled earlier this week in Sydney if pool space can be organised.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand Stingrays completed their seven-match road trip with a double-header loss to defending champions Sydney University.
They lost Saturday's opener 13-6, but improved to bow out 8-6 in the second match yesterday.
The Stingrays are fourth in the 12-team competition.
