Hockey: Coach tight-lipped on Igasan

An international call-up for Northland striker Laura Douglas, the welcome return of a handful of experienced players and again no place for Player of the Year Lizzy Igasan are features of the team to play next month's Champions Trophy tournament in Holland.

Igasan's non-selection remains the talking point but one that coach Ian Rutledge remains reluctant to discuss.

He had had "discussions" with Igasan, who stunned him when she declared her unavailability for the World Cup qualifying tournament. But he is in no hurry to go public.

"I am not prepared to talk to Lizzy Igasan through the media, just as I'm not prepared to comment on her non-selection for this team. This and future squads will include players prepared to play for their country.

"I know her feelings towards me and the programme, but other than saying I have been in communication with her since the World Cup qualifying tournament, I'm not prepared to say anything else at this stage."

There had been a feeling within hockey that Igasan might have been preparing for a return to the Black Sticks after playing recent matches for East Coast Bays in the North Harbour premier men's competition.

Douglas, 23, has won her place after showing good form in last year's National Hockey League and her work in the northern region high performance squad since. After a stint in America on a university hockey scholarship, she returned to Whangarei in September and joins 16-year-old Northland teammate Charlotte Harrison - already a veteran of 21 internationals - as two of the four strikers in the 18-strong squad.

Honor Dillon, forced out of the World Cup qualifiers in Italy at the last minute by injury, returns as do Sheree Phillips, Jo Galletly and Perth-based Rachael Robertson.

"Galletly, Phillips and Robertson were all members of the team who won last year's Champions Challenge tournament," said Rutledge. "The experience they bring will be invaluable.

"From last year's squad of 27, we have lost 12 either through retirement, unavailability or injury. But thanks to our player-development policy we are well prepared to be competitive."

Kayla Sharland, who was forced out of the qualifying tournament with a serious knee injury after just four minutes of the Black Sticks' opening game, is not expected to play again this year.

Bridget Kight and Lizzie Ryan, who played in that tournament, were not selected for this team.

Di Weavers has taken over the captaincy vacated by retired Suzie Muirhead. Rutledge sees her support in that role coming from Kate Mahon, Emily Naylor, Tara Drysdale and Robertson.

BLACK STICKS

Goalkeepers
* Beth Jurgeleit (Wellington) 25 years, 40 caps
* Anita Wawatai (Central) 25, 31

Defenders
* Clarissa Eshuis (Canterbury) 19, 25
* Di Weavers (Midlands) capt 31, 177
* Frances Kreft (Auckland) 20, 40
* Sheree Phillips (Central) 26, 24
* Kate Mahon (North Harbour) 22, 23

Midfielders
* Emily Naylor (Central) 20, 66
* Kate Saunders (Auckland) 24, 13
* Stacey Carr (Canterbury) 22, 71
* Jo Galletly (Wellington) 26, 26
* Jane Maley (Canterbury) 26, 31
* Rachel Robertson (Perth) 29, 46
* Tara Drysdale (Central) 27, 87

Strikers
* Krystal Forgesson (Auckland) 23, 26
* Laura Douglas (Northland) 23, 0
* Honor Dillon (Canterbury) 23, 35
* Charlotte Harrison (Northland) 16, 21