Hockey: Black Sticks in Germany pool

Defending champions Germany and Australia are the top-seeded teams for the men's World Cup next year.

The International Field Hockey Federation released the two groups for the tournament in New Delhi from February 28 to March 13.

Germany were joined in Group A by former champions the Netherlands, South Korea, New Zealand, Canada and Argentina.

Australia, the silver medallists in the 2006 World Cup, were placed in Group B with four-time winners Pakistan, two-time finalists Spain, England, India and South Africa.