The Black Sticks have plenty on their plate when they go up against old foes Australia in their fourth-round match-up at the Women's World Cup in Argentina this morning.
The result is not only important in the context of the tournament but as a guide to the Commonwealth Games and, perhaps most important, the team's future funding.
Before they left for Rosario, New Zealand coach Mark Hager set his sights on preferably a spot in the World Cup semifinals - that cannot happen - or, at worst, a top-six or maybe top-eight finish to ensure continued support from Sparc.
In being held 2-2 by Japan in the third round, the Black Sticks dropped vital points and must now beat Australia to keep top-six hopes alive.
New Zealand have only pointless India below them on the group A table but could close to within two points of third-placed Australia with maximum points today. New Zealand meet India in their last pool match while Australia face Germany on Wednesday.
In three matches against Australia in Perth this year, New Zealand went down 3-2, 2-0 and 4-1 but did have the satisfaction of beating them in last year's Oceania Cup, albeit on penalty strokes after a 2-2 draw.
Australia have had a mixed World Cup. They just got home 2-1 against Japan in the opening round before beating India 6-3. On Saturday they went down 4-1 to World Cup favourites Holland.
In Saturday's late game New Zealand battled back to draw against Japan after falling 2-0 behind early in the second half. Goals from Krystal Forgesson and captain Kayla Sharland earned the Black Sticks their first point of the tournament.
Women's World Cup
* New Zealand v Australia
* Rosario, Argentina
* Today 10.30am (live SS3)
Hockey: Black Sticks eye crucial victory against old rivals
Krystal Forgesson. Photo / Brett Phibbs
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