Hockey: Black Sticks' performance pleases coach

New Zealand women's coach Ian Rutledge continued to talk up the Black Sticks despite another unconvincing effort against Canada in Wellington.

New Zealand won the four-test series 2-0 after a 1-1 draw yesterday, but it was a dull affair and about 1000 spectators had to wait until the last five minutes for any scoring action.

Meredith Orr broke the deadlock with a reverse shot from close range, but Canada replied in the 68th minute, Jenny Johnson tapping a loose ball past goalkeeper Anita Wawatai.

Australian Rutledge is implementing new structures and is trying to get a line on how certain players operate under pressure before the Olympic qualifying series against Australia this month. However, on the flipside he would probably have liked to have seen more sharpness and clinical finishing around the circle than has been evident against the 19th-ranked Canadians.

There could also have been a bit of cat and mouse going on because Australian coach David Bell has been on the sidelines in their last three games.

Apart from the obvious, that inside-left Suzie Pearce makes the side tick, the only thing Bell would have picked up from the National Hockey Stadium yesterday was a cold.

- NZPA