KEY POINTS:
By the time the Black Sticks line up at Mt Maunganui for the second of four tests against Japan on Saturday week, national men's hockey coach Shane McLeod is convinced he will know his best XI heading into next month's crucial Olympic qualifiers.
New Zealand play the first of eight internationals in 13 days against Chile in Whangarei tonight, as McLeod winds up preparations for the must-win qualifying tournament at North Harbour's Crown Relocations Stadium from February 2-10.
McLeod has named a vastly experienced line-up for the first of four tests against Chile, including Hayden and Brad Shaw and Ben Collier who are back in the fray after injury.
The Chileans are a dozen places below 10th-rated New Zealand on International Hockey Federation rankings.
The game will be an ideal warm-up for the national side who, from next Thursday, play four tests against Japan (11th), a tougher opponent.
McLeod is not dismissing Chile, however, having watched them play in the Pan American Championships last year. "They are quite aggressive and like to put themselves about," said McLeod. "In many ways they play like Argentina without their skill and flair."
It is the first time New Zealand have played the South Americans but McLeod is determined to use the matches as the chance to give all 19 players an opportunity to press their claims. "We have released Nick Wilson to play for the Junior Black Sticks in Malaysia and Richard Petherick is still not 100 per cent, otherwise the other 19 players in the squad are here," said McLeod last night. "They will all play, although some are not all at quite 100 per cent yet."
Vastly experienced midfielder/defender Blair Hopping will not play tonight because he is recovering from a slight hamstring strain but should play the second test on Saturday.
"We would like to win both series but if we lost every match against Chile and Japan but went on to win the Olympic qualifiers we would be happy," said McLeod, who added that he would be much happier to go into the qualifying tournament on the back of wins against Chile and Japan.
"We are ready to go. We are bang on track," said McLeod.
The matches against Chile will be played in Whangarei tonight, on Saturday and Sunday and in Pukekohe next Tuesday.
The tests against Japan follow on January 17, in Pukekohe, and January 19, 20 and 22 in Mt Maunganui.
THE TEAM
Black Sticks to play Chile, 6.30pm today, Whangarei:
Kyle Pontifex, Andy Hayward, Dean Couzins, Hayden Shaw, Steve Edwards, Brad Shaw, Ryan Archibald, Ben Collier, Simon Child, Phil Burrows, Bevan Hari. Substitutes: Gareth Brooks, Lloyd Stephenson, Casey Henwood, Shea McAleese, James Nation.
