Hockey: Black Sticks need win

By TERRY MADDAFORD

While the New Zealand cricketers contemplate the might of the Australian test team, so the Black Sticks face an imposing four-and-a-half year, 12-match drought against Australia in a key match at the Champions Trophy in Argentina.

During that time the Australians have scored 47 goals to New Zealand's 14. The rivals meet at the Rosario Jockey Club in Argentina with more than just transtasman pride at stake. If the Black Sticks can snap that losing streak, which started in Sydney in 2000, they will play-off for third place at the Champions Trophy. A win would also guarantee Ian Rutledge and his team a ticket to next year's tournament.

Already confirmed as hosts for that, Australia do not have the same incentive as the New Zealanders for this morning's clash but captain Di Weavers knows there will be no favours from the Australians.

"It is going to be tough but we feel we can win," said Weavers, who assumed the captaincy following Suzie Muirhead's decision to take a break after the Athens Olympics. "If we can reproduce what we did against Germany, I know we can beat Australia."

Weavers said the tournament in Argentina has been a mind-blowing experience.

"We wanted to get out and watch Australia play China in the match after ours, but we simply couldn't get outside.

"The fans just swamp you looking for autographs and just the chance to mix with you."

Hockey is the biggest women's sport in the South American country with their team ranked No 1 in the world.

That ranking could, however, come under scrutiny if they don't make tomorrow's final. New Zealand, who have already drawn with China and Germany, can get up to fourth on the round-robin table with a win this morning.

They would then anxiously watch the last game between the hosts and China. Should China upset Argentina and New Zealand lose to Australia, the Black Sticks would drop back to sixth and have to play China for fifth - the last qualifying place for next year's tournament.

Newcomers Honor Dillon, Jess Brewster and Karlie Maloney have all had reasonable game time and shown they certainly are worthy investments.