Hockey: Close calls bring new hope

By TERRY MADDAFORD

One-goal losses in the first two tests have given the New Zealand women's team the confidence they need in their attempt to break the year-long drought against Australia in this weekend's two tests in Sydney.

Coach Jan Borren, while disappointed at opportunities lost in going down 3-2 and 4-3 - "we had a rare opportunity to beat Australia in the first test but let it slip" - remains hopeful of better things in games three and four.

He has been encouraged by the efforts of the newcomers, some of whom have had test time as well as playing in the midweek friendlies.

"Rachel Helps and Lisa Bishop have played at centre-half in the tests and have done well," Borren said. "Obviously, with Anna Lawrence's retirement, we have to find someone to step into that crucial role."

Borren has also been looking for strike forwards to step in if Mandy Smith does not make it back from her hamstring injury.

"Jaimee Provan has stepped up and done well. Carol Ward, too, has shown out. She is good on the ball and has played well at right wing and centre-forward. Moira Senior has come back strong and as enthusiastically as ever.

"We had Kylie Foy, Mandy Smith and Moira Senior in those key positions in the 1999-2000 season. Now we have Provan, Senior, Ward and Piki Hamahona, who are showing they are capable of taking up the challenge."

Thirty-nine test veteran goalkeeper Anne-Marie Irving played both tests in Melbourne last weekend, but 20-year-old newcomer Anita Wawatai has played in three of the midweek games.

"She has lots of potential with good size, balance and eyes," Borren said. "Now she just needs a training programme."

All newcomers, including Southland's Colleen Gubb, called in as a last-minute replacement for striker Lisa Walton, have had at least some game time in the midweek matches.

Captain Sandy Bennett is, according to Borren, "doing okay" in her return to the big time after struggling with injury. "She is not quite there yet, but not too far away."

Borren said it would provide real encouragement if New Zealand could win one of this weekend's tests.

"To do that we must play well for the full 70 minutes."