The Australian Stingers women's water polo team have tuned up for this week's FINA World League finals with a hard fought 11-10 victory over Italy in Ostia, just outside of Rome last June 10.

The Stingers struggled early, trailing 1-4 at the end of the first term but played almost flawless water polo in the second period to net six goals and go into the half time break up 7-5.

Strong defensively and aggressive in counter attack, the Australians scored six unanswered goals and it wasn't until the final ten seconds of the quarter that the Italians troubled the scorer.

From there the match never reached any great heights with the teams trading goals throughout the final two quarters. The Australians were brilliant at times yet produced a series of uncharacteristic decisions in attack that led to turnovers.

The topsy turvey performance prompted Australian Head Coach Greg McFadden to liken his team's performance to attending an amusement park.

"You don't have to pay $30 to go on all the rides at Luna Park when this team can take you on a roller coaster ride with the space of two minutes," McFadden said.

"The girls played outstanding water polo in the second quarter of this game but it's frustrating when they produce what happened in the first quarter and the final two minutes of the game."

McFadden was however upbeat about his team's week in the training pool and focused on next week's World League tournament.

"The week of training here in Ostia has been excellent and we have been privileged to train with the Italian team at such a great venue with such superb hospitality supplied by the Federazione Italiana Nuoto," McFadden said.

"I am now looking forward to Tianjin where hopefully we will produce 24 quarters of water polo like our second tonight."

Driver Jane Moran and goalkeepers Alicia McCormack and Kelsey Wakefield, who have all celebrated birthdays during this tour, were amongst Australia's best.

The team now heads to Tianjin, China for the World League finals where they have been drawn in a pool with Canada, Spain and the inform Russian team who claimed gold ahead of the Australians in last week's Kirishi Cup. The tournament begins on Tuesday June 14.

Australia

Alicia McCormack, Gemma Beadsworth, Sophie Smith, Rebecca Rippon, Ash Southern, Bronwen Knox, Rowena Webster, Kate Gynther, Glencora Ralph, Holly Lincoln-Smith, Zoe Arancini, Nicola Zagame, Keesja Gofers, Jane Moran, Kelsey Wakefield

Result: Australia 11 beat Italy 10

Quarters: 1-4, 6-1, 2-3, 2-2

Best players: Jane Moran, Sophie Smith, Alicia McCormack, Kate Gynther, Nicola Zagame, Kelsey Wakefield