The Australian Junior women's team has overcome a slow start to soundly defeat New Zealand 15-9 in their opening Test in Sydney. The scores were locked at two goals apiece at the first break before the Australians grabbed a single goal advantage and 5-4 halftime lead.

Whatever Australian coach Peter Szilagyi said to his side during the intermission worked as they came out and scored five goals in each of the last two periods whilst restricting the Kiwis to five in the half total.

Despite the turn-around Szilagyi had mixed feeling about the performance.

"We had a really poor start with several offensive and defensive errors in the first half of the game," Szilagyi said.

"I am happy with the 15 goals we scored, but they should not put the ball into our net nine times.

"Our outstanding extra man converting and decent man down defence can give us confidence for the next two test matches."

One of the team's stars and triple goal scorer Bronte Colenso was frank about the side's performance.

"In attack passes into centre forward were perfect most of the time and we should have more drives in the next games against set defence," Colenso said.

"Our pressing was strong (but) our zoning could be more active."

Teammate Matilda Connor said the pleasing thing for the team was their improvement in teamwork as the game progressed.

"Our first half was much slower than the second half of the game (but) our communication improved quarter by quarter," Connor said.

The next game will be played at Ryde Aquatic Centre at 19.30 on Monday April 16.

Australia: M.Davies, Bronte Colenso, Emily Boland, Maggie Morrison, Cathryn Earl, Jess Brooks, Laura Izzy Malcolm, Tayla Walsh, Tara Pitman, Emily Benson, Morgan Baxter, Matilda Connor, Claire Negus

Rested : Taylor Leonard

Result: AUS 15 bt NZ 9

Quarters: 2-2, 3-2, 5-3, 5-2

X Man For AUS: 5 from 7

Defended: NZ scored 6 from 13

5M penalties: AUS 3/2; NZ 1/0

AUS scorers: Tayla Walsh 6/4, Bronte Colenso 6/3, Emily Boland 6/2, Matilda Connor 3/2, Maggie Morrison 3/1, Cathryn Earl 3/1, Morgan Baxter 2/1, Claire Negus 3/1

Best AUS players: B.Colenso, M.Connor

Australian Water Polo