Hockey: Plenty to think about in Games lead-up

Japan left the management of the New Zealand women's hockey team scratching their heads for answers last night, after wrapping up the series against the Black Sticks in Christchurch  with a win 1-0 scoreline that, to be fair, flattered New Zealand.

The Japanese dominated the match but only had one 23rd minute goal to Chie Kimura to show for it.

However, it was enough for them to win the series 4-0, with only the 1-1 draw at Ashburton on Tuesday denying them a clean sweep.

New Zealand coach Ian Rutledge described his team's first-half performance "as probably the worst since I've been in charge", but was pleased with how they improved in the second spell.

"In that first half they lacked composure and focus. I think the seven weeks we've been together probably took its toll emotionally and physically," Rutledge told NZPA.

"What with the Commonwealth Games team being announced (on Monday) and a 10-day break for them now, I just wonder if they weren't where they should have been."

Goalkeeper Beth Jurgeleit was perhaps the most impressive Black Stick on display, making a host of impressive saves.

Rutledge said while a 0-4 series defeat was never welcome, he said there was little between his sixth-ranked team and world No 8 Japan and that his players would have prepared much differently if winning the series was their chief goal.

Instead, he was pleased to have watched them in top-level action, particularly without the comfort of senior midfielders Suzie Muirhead and Kayla Sharland, who were both injured.

"And I think tonight we also saw players keen to avoid injury ahead of the Games, which was possibly understandable," Rutledge said.

The Black Sticks now have a 10-day break before convening ahead of their departure for Melbourne.

Rutledge hoped to organise three warmup matches once they got there, probably against teams from the opposite Games pool.

- NZPA