Kiwis take on Japan

The New Zealand Senior Women are only two flights away from crunchtime when they land in Kazan, Russia for the 2015 FINA World Championships. The Kiwis have been training with the Japanese national side on their build up to Kazan 2015, which opens on Friday. The team arrived on Wednesday and have had a few solid days of training and games. The team have played Japan twice this year, beating them 8-4 and again 13-10 at the FINA Intercontinental Tournament in Auckland. Since arrival in Tokyo, New Zealand have played Japan four times of which they won three and lost one. "We won today by more than before," said Sarah Landry, "we are improving every time."

The New Zealand and Japanese women pose for a photo after their final training

The games have been rough, but Landry says that the team has grown over the past days. "It's a different style of water polo than we are used to, but we are growing as a team and learning heaps and bonding heaps. We are having the best time." In between games the team has found themselves immersed in Japanese culture -- especially food. "...and we love the food." adds Landry. The New Zealand team have been training at a brand new pool that has been purpose-built for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games as a training venue. In their down time the team has visited the temples of Asakusa and Shibuya, and the Tokyo CBD.

Assistant Coach Emily Cox lays down the law in Asakusa

It's the Kiwis' last day in Japan today before departing for Moscow, Russia tomorrow (Tuesday) and then onto Kazan on Thursday. The FINA World Championships Opening Ceremony kicks off on Friday. Once the team has landed and are settled in Kazan, they will enjoy the Athletes' menu which will feature cold refreshments (fish, cheese, meat and vegetables), salads, first and second courses, side dishes. Pancake making areas, Wok cooking zones and steak grilling places are expected to be set up there as well. Athletes’ menus will include dairy products, pastries, fruit, tea and coffee. The New Zealand Women's first match is versus Canada on Sunday morning at 9:30am (Kazan local time). Kazan is 9 hours behind New Zealand, meaning that the game will begin at 6:30pm NZT.