Tokyo, August 21, 2006: Australia's men's team will continue their meticulous preparations for the FIVB World Championships in Japan in November with a four-match series in Vancouver, Canada.
The Aussies, whose Pool B opponents in Fukuoka will be Germany, France, Cuba, Brazil and Greece, have just completed a five-match series in Tunisia.
After winning the first test 3-1, Australia lost the next three to fellow World Championships qualifiers Tunisia before bouncing back to take the last match 3-0 (26-24, 25-22, 25-21) in hot and humid conditions in Tunis. This gave the north African team a 3-2 winning margin in a fiercely-fought series.
Captain Ben Hardy, who led the Aussie scoring with 16 points, and libero Phil De Salvo were the team's best players in the fifth game.
Under head coach Russell Borgeaud, Australia swept a three-match series in Britan before moving to Tunis. The Canadians are also preparing for the World Championships.
