Hockey: Best is yet to come, says coach

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The New Zealand men are ahead 3-0 in the five-test series against Canada, but have yet to produce a full-on 70 minutes of hockey, says coach Kevin Towns.

"But we are not too concerned about that," Towns said on the eve of today's fourth test in Levin.

"We are using this series as a build-up to the big show at the Champions Challenge in South Africa in July and, more importantly, the Olympic qualifiers against Australia in September.

"I have been happy with what the younger players have shown us.

"If I was to criticise - and it is difficult to be too critical when you are winning - I would say that at times the senior players have been pushing the boundaries too early in some games."

All players have now had game time, including new Canterbury defender Bryce Collins, sidelined by illness early in the series.

First-choice goalkeeper Paul Woolford played the opener in Palmerston North, but Wellington's Kyle Pontifex played both tests in Napier midweek. Woolford will be back in goal this afternoon.

Under Towns' rotation system, Peter Stafford, Lloyd Stephenson and James Nation will stand down.

The probable starting lineup will be Woolford, Dion Gosling, Hayden Shaw, Wayne McIndoe, Mitesh Patel, Ryan Archibald, Darren Smith, Blair Hopping, Umesh Parag, Bevan Hari and Phil Burrows, with Pontifex, Dean Couzins, Collins, Casey Henwood and David Kosoof on the bench.

Shaw, who has scored from five of the eight penalty corners awarded to New Zealand, will be looking to continue his run this afternoon.

* New women's coach Ian Rutledge says goalkeeper and 135-test veteran Helen Clarke will lead the Black Sticks in their four tests against Canada starting in Palmerston North on Monday night.

Suzie Pearce and Diana Weavers are the vice-captains.