Hockey: Black Sticks reshuffle for Europe

David Kosoof, his North Harbour team-mate Shaun Barnett and Canterbury defender Brad Shaw have been left out of the New Zealand side for next month's European tour.

But coach Kevin Towns insists it is not the end of their international careers.

"At this stage we feel they would be better served by staying at home and working on their aerobic fitness," Towns said yesterday.

The trio are among six players who featured in the recent Sultan Azlan Shah tournament but are not included in the 18-strong Black Sticks squad for Europe.

Also missing are Ryan Archibald (work commitments), Bryce Collins and Hamish Baron.

Others not considered were Dion Gosling (university papers) and Wayne McIndoe (injury).

Collins has been replaced by another North Harbour midfielder, Ben Collier.

"We want to give Collier time on the pitch so we are taking only three midfielders," Towns said.

In another change, plans for a 36-player camp in Auckland next month have been scrapped. There will now be 27 players at the July 3-9 camp, with the enlarged squad now set to come together at a later camp, probably in January.

"We have had to make changes because there is so much work to do before we head to Europe," said Towns. "Beyond that we now face a tough Oceania qualifying tournament for next year's World Cup.

"Originally it was envisaged this would be a three-test series against Australia with the winner going straight to the World Cup. Now we are going to have a three-nation play-off in Fiji in November."

Towns said he and his Australian counterpart preferred the three-test format but would go along with Oceania's wishes.

There appears to be annoyance at Fiji being handed hosting rights at their new water turf in Suva when they have not played a World Cup qualifier for 10 years.

Hockey NZ chief executive Ramesh Patel favours the new format, which should come down to a virtual one-off clash with Australia for the Oceania spot.

If the Black Sticks fall at that hurdle they would have to play in the World Cup qualifying tournament in China next April - just days after the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

Among the teams they would likely face in China are France and Belgium - two of their three opponents on the European tour.

France are ranked 18th in the world, but have beaten India and England this year.

Belgium, ranked 14th, had recent wins over Malaysia and England.

The remaining test, a one-off, is against world No 3 Holland.

Of the 18 players, Bevan Hari, Simon Towns, James Nation and Mitesh Patel are already in Europe.

There will be pressure on 100-test veteran Patel, who has not played an international since last year's Champions Trophy.

Simon Child, 18, returns after making his debut against Malaysia this year.

Team for Europe

Gareth Brooks, Simon Child, Dean Couzins, Bevan Hari, Casey Henwood, Simon Towns (captain), Paul Woolford (Auckland); Jason Bradley, Shea McAleese (Canterbury), Ben Collier, Blair Hopping, Darren Smith (vice-captain), Lloyd Stephenson (North Harbour); Richard Petherick (Waikato), Phil Burrows, James Nation, Mitesh Patel, Kyle Pontifex (Wellington).

Squad for July 3-9 training camp

Ryan Archibald, Hamish Baron, Brooks, Child, Couzins, Cain Fleming, Dion Gosling, Henwood, Wayne McIndoe, Sanjay Patel, Dharmesh Puna, Woolford (Auckland); Bradley, Hugh Copland, McAleese, Brad Shaw (Canterbury); Shaun Barnett, Collier, Bryce Collins, Hopping, David Kosoof, Smith, Stephenson (North Harbour); Petherick (Waikato), Burrows, Tim Gyles, Pontifex (Wellington).

European itinerary

July 16: v France, Bourge.
July 17: v France, Bourge.
July 23: v Belgium, Nivelles.
July 24: v Belgium, Nivelles.
July 30: v Holland, Amstelveen.