AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Australia coach Lasse Bundgard says his team is ready for what tomorrow’s Oceania Mixed Team Championship brings but admits his player’s have New Zealand on their minds.
Australia defeated Tahiti comprehensively in their first outing of the tournament by 5-0 and Lasse declared himself pleased with the afternoon’s work.
“The tie went as we expected but it was good to get started with a win so I was very happy. Our quality came through in the end and we played almost our whole team so they all got into the game so that’s also good,” he said.
Bundgard said his players were excited about the chance to face New Zealand and he also saved some banter for fellow Dane, Peter Jensen.
“The players are desperately trying to win because they haven’t won for so long so we’re looking forward to getting a bit of a challenge. It’s going to be good but I’m not going to lose to Peter,” he said.
Like New Zealand, Australia could rotate their team for their opening match before the trans-Tasman clash at 4pm NZST tomorrow.
“We’re going to change things around so everyone has got a match before the New Zealand tie which we’re very much looking forward to. But New Caledonia have done very well in this tournament so far and we will focus on that first,” he said.
AUDIOBOOM – Lasse Bundgard
