ORD MINNETT AUSSIE SHARKS BOOK TICKET TO 2025 WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS WITH WIN OVER NEW ZEALAND

The Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks have booked their tickets to Singapore for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships, with a convincing 24-9 win over New Zealand tonight.

More than 1000 fans at Perth High Performance Centre were entertained with an exciting match, including the return of Paris Olympians Jacob Mercep and Charlie Negus, both who featured heavily in tonight’s win.

Tonight’s win follows the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks 18-7 win in game one, and in the best of three series, earns them the Oceania spot at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships.

Paris Olympian Angus Lambie was the top goal scorer for the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks with five, and said it’s great to have a World Championships berth secured.

“It’s obviously a tremendous honour, we’re happy to battle it out with the Kiwis. With ANZAC Day coming up it’s really important that we have a good crack in the pool.

“It was symbolic, and it’s good to get the win but we appreciate the hard work that New Zealand is putting into their program by challenging us.

“You never know how the game is going to turn out…sometimes you have a good draw and score a few goals. But I wouldn’t be able to score those goals without my team mates and it’s always good to be back in the pool.

“We had a bit of a reprieve after the Paris Olympics, and some excellent memories there. So it’s good to be playing good water polo again,” he said.

After making their debut on Thursday night, Tyson Mutsch and Drew McJannett scored their first international goals tonight, something Lambie said he’s super proud to be a part of.

“Credit to Tim (Hamill), this is the perfect opportunity in Perth to get some of the debutants out. Credit to them as well, they rip in and they’ve been working hard for this opportunity to play at this level and they’ve earned it,” Lambie said.

“Seeing them take on the game, and score goals and give those assisting passes is everything…it’s incredible.

With one game to go on Tuesday 22 April, Lambie said the process and the goal won’t change - the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks are still looking to play a good, hard game of water polo.

“We’ve qualified for the World Champs now but it wouldn’t be respectful to the Kiwi boys if we didn’t have a crack,” Lambie said.

“That’s what they’re here for too, to have a crack at us. So we’re going to give it everything we have for that third game as well,” he said.

The Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks will return to Perth High Performance Centre on Tuesday 22 April for the third and final game against New Zealand, at 7pm AWST, live on Kayo Sports.