Hockey: McIndoe to skip Games, as work comes before play

New Zealand hockey coach Kevin Towns has lost another senior player for the Commonwealth Games, with midfielder Wayne McIndoe confirming his unavailability yesterday.

McIndoe, who captained the team against Malaysia last year and has 111 caps, informed Towns that he couldn't afford the extended time off work.

The full hockey programme, with the World Cup qualifiers in China following next month's Games in Melbourne, requires players to take 137 days off work this year.

"It's a disappointment for everyone, a player with Wayne's experience," said Towns.

"We knew it was going to be tight, so we've been working on other options so now we can just move forward."

Auckland-based McIndoe, 33, a regional manager for a textile firm, made his debut at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.

He joins three of the standouts from the 2004 Athens Olympics - Simon Towns, Mitesh Patel and Dave Kosoof - in withdrawing from the Games.

Simon Towns retired from international hockey last November after 217 matches over 14 years, while Patel and Kosoof have joined McIndoe in putting their employment first this year.

"It's such a big programme this year, a number of players have found it that way so we've just to work our way through it," Kevin Towns said.

"Wayne's been looking at his options, and you've got to look at your career when you've been in the team for a number of years.

"We'll miss him both on the field and off the field. He's got a good hockey brain and contributes throughout."

But Towns was far from downcast as he prepares to name his Games squad of 16, including the new captain, on Tuesday next week.

Having used 30 players during last year's campaign, including promising newcomers Shea McAleese of Canterbury and Shaun Barnett of North Harbour, he felt there was enough depth.

Also returning after missing the sixth placed finish in Athens was key midfielder and likely captain Ryan Archibald, while penalty corner specialist Hayden Shaw was back from a brief sojourn into first-class cricket.

"We've certainly got sufficient players, it might just change some of the familiarity with the moves we've got," Towns said.

New Zealand have seven competitive matches before their Games opener against England on March 17.

They play five matches against Australian national league side Tasmania, starting in Auckland on Saturday, then two matches against Canada on March 4 and 5.

- NZPA