Hockey: Setback as injured Leaver quits Games

By TERRY MADDAFORD

New Zealand hockey's Commonwealth Games hopes have suffered a major setback with Brett Leaver's decision to bypass next month's trials as he continues to battle the knee injury which sidelined him for the World Cup in February.

The 157-match veteran was to have been the defensive general in the Games team but has not overcome the medial ligament injury suffered in a club game last November.

The 32-year-old defender, who is also a key component in the side's penalty corner strategies, had an operation in November and recovered sufficiently to play in the six-nation tournament in Kuala Lumpur in January. However, he struggled at times and withdrew from the World Cup.

More recently he has been playing club hockey, but not to the level he had hoped for with his fitness and confidence below expectations.

"I am very disappointed, but my focus now is on being part of New Zealand's Olympic campaign next year and after that the next World Cup," Leaver said.