Hockey: Black Sticks hammered

SYDNEY - New Zealand women's hockey coach Ian Rutledge condemned his side's lacklustre showing after Australia levelled the Oceania World Cup qualifying series with an ominous 4-0 victory at the Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre last night.

A shell-shocked New Zealand failed to back-up from their 1-0 upset of the Hockeyroos on Sunday in Auckland and were comprehensively beaten despite some dogged defending in the first spell of a one-sided test.

"We were very flat against a very motivated and committed Australian team," Rutledge said.

"I don't think we turned up ready to expect the onslaught that Australia was going to come at us with.

"It was a disappointing turn around. They rode all the highs on Sunday, there was a euphoric feeling in the team, and now they're desperately disappointed."

Although the match was a stalemate at the break, Australia dominated territory from the outset and looked a constant threat on attack.

The breakthrough duly arrived in the 45th minute when a field goal by midfielder Madonna Blyth got the ball rolling for an Australian side fired up to avenge their first loss to New Zealand in five years.

Karen Smith, Emily Halliday and Angie Skirving also dissected the Black Sticks defence as the world No.4 ran New Zealand ragged in the second spell.

Underlining their total dominance, the Australians forced nine penalty corners -- scoring from the last two -- while New Zealand were not awarded one.

The Blacks Sticks now need to turn the tables in Saturday's decider -- a draw will not be enough to see them qualify for the Cup in Spain next September due to Australia's superior goal difference.

If Australia again prove the Auckland result was an aberration, New Zealand will need to qualify through a second chance tournament in Italy in April.

Ironically Rutledge thought the team had suffered by beating Australia in game one.

"When you lose you go away scorned and it can be more obvious what you need to work on. When you win it's easy to get a little bit sloppy in your preparation and mental focus.

"Great teams have that steely resilience in every single game and that's something we're yet to develop."

Captain Suzie Muirhead agreed the Black Sticks were not switched on.

"We weren't on our game and they came out tough. We pretty much defended the whole game and couldn't get a roll on."

Meanwhile Australian coach Frank Murray denied normal service had resumed in terms of trans-Tasman women's hockey.

"I thought it was tight and tough in the first half, then we gradually got on top.

"When we got a couple of goals it opened up. It's probably the best we've played all year but I didn't think it was a 4-0 game."

Australia 4 (Madonna Blyth 46, Karen Smith 50, Emily Halliday 58, Angie Skirving 67)
New Zealand 0
Halftime 0-0.

Series level 1-1.

- NZPA