Brisbane, Australia - January 13 - Both the Men's Senior National Team and the Women's Senior National Team have arrived in Australia to take part in a three game exhibition series from January 13-18 at the Brisbane Aquatic Center in Brisbane, Australia. The three game series in Brisbane will be the first major test for both squads as they prepare for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with just under 200 days to go until the opening ceremony. USA Captains
Maggie Steffens (dual Olympic gold medalist) and
Jesse Smith (4 time Olympian) along with Australian team Captains
Rowie Webster (dual Olympian) and
Aaron Younger (dual Olympian) were welcomed to Brisbane by Councillor Peter Matic and Water Polo Australia Acting CEO Richard McInnes yesterday at Southbank. The exhibition series will kick off Monday, January 13 at Brisbane Aquatic Centre with the USA Women taking on Australia at 11:00 pm pt, followed by the USA Men at 12:30 am pt.
Click here for live stream.
The Women's Senior National Team are the two time defending Olympic champions, remaining undefeated in 2019.
Captain Maggie Steffens is thrilled to be back in Brisbane where she visited for her first tour to Australia back in 2008.
"We're feeling good, we're really excited to be here in Brisbane, it's absolutely beautiful," said Steffens.
"We love playing against Australia - they're easily one of our toughest competitors.
"They're one of the best in the world so we're just excited to be here training with them and learning from them."
Australia Women's Captain Rowie Webster, said that this exhibition series will hold extra meaning for Australia with both the men's and women's team doing their bit to support those impacted by the bushfires.
"So many people have been affected by the current bushfires and plenty of sports are showing their support… our Australian teams are going to donate $100 from every goal scored during the series to support the bushfire appeals," said Webster.
It's not lost on Webster that her side is set to line up against the number one team in the world. But she said the strategy is simple.
"It's more about us than it is about them. We're just focusing on what we can get right.
"We've just come out of a three month Olympic training camp in Canberra so we're really happy to be given the opportunity to play the best team in the world in a beautiful city.
"To showcase our beautiful game in front of our family friends is really special. it's an exciting time, it's a selection time…. so tensions will be a little bit higher," said Webster.
USA Men's captain Jesse Smith was enjoying being back in Australia but admitted there will be little down time to take in all the great Brisbane sights because with under 200 days to go to Tokyo 2020, all squads are at the business end of their Olympic preparations.
"Australia has a lot of really good players and we're in a similar boat. We've both qualified for the Olympics so that's why we're here, so that both teams can rise and get better so that at the Olympics we have a great chance to get a medal... and I think they're (Australia) feeling the same," he said.
Australia Men's Captain Aaron Younger said fans can expect a close battle when they line up against USA.
"We're probably two of the best non-European water polo nations in the world and we're both in the final stages of our Olympic preparations… so there'll be a few good games for sure," said Younger.
"I don't think we've had many opportunities in my entire career where we've been able to play a top nation at home with the opportunity to get the kids involved and amongst it...it's an amazing feeling.
"It's also great to see that we can bring the younger generation with the older and hope that they get inspired," he said.
The Australian Men's and Women's Water Polo teams will join the Australian sporting community to support various bushfire appeals, donating $100 for every goal scored during the series. Click here for more.
SCHEDULE:
Game 1: Tuesday 14 January 2020
Time: January 13th at 11:00pm pt USA Women vs Austalia, 12:30am pt USA Men vs Australia
Game 2: Thursday 16 January 2020
Time: 12:30am pt USA Men vs Australia, 2:00am pt USA Women vs Australia
Game 3: Saturday 18 January 2020
Time: Janauary 17th at 11:00pm pt USA Women vs Australia, 12:30am pt USA Men vs Australia
Location: Brisbane Aquatic Centre
