Hockey: Couzins knocks on door of '200 Club'

Dean Couzins has 195 caps for the Black Sticks and is on course to break 200 at the World Cup. Photo / Getty Images

Auckland defender Dean Couzins is set to join Black Sticks teammates Phil Burrows, Ryan Archibald and Blair Hopping in the "200 Club" at this month's World Cup in New Delhi.

The Black Sticks have two tests against Australia in Perth en route to the World Cup which would leave Couzins on 197 with the likelihood of playing his 200th international against Korea on March 5.

Milestones are also beckoning for goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex and Central midfielder Shea McAleese who leave with the team for Perth on February 15 with 95 caps to their credit.

Young North Harbour striker Nick Wilson, 19, has already notched an amazing 48 caps and will reach 50 either against Australia or at the World Cup.

Coach Shane McLeod yesterday named his 18-man squad for the World Cup and the lead-up matches against Australia and Australia A.

With brothers Hayden and Brad Shaw unavailable, McLeod's task was a little easier. From his 21-player national squad he omitted North Harbour's Joseph Bartholomew and Priyesh Bhana. They will be joined as non-travelling reserves by either Joel Baker or Blair Hilton.

Baker has a dislocated toe. His fitness will be assessed next week and a decision made on which of the Wellington strikers will travel.

"We have yet to make a call on who will go even if Joel is declared fit," said McLeod yesterday. "He has to prove his fitness this weekend and we will take it from there."

Brad Shaw's absence - he is remaining home awaiting the birth of his first child - will give Nick Haig and Arun Panchia their chance to claim the left half role.

"Brad's absence is unfortunate but it is a chance now for someone else to step up," said McLeod.

The team will play Australia A on February 16 and 20 and full internationals against Australia on February 17 and 19.

"It is a good mix for us. We have had a break since the Champions Challenge so it will be good to get some full-on match play before we go to the World Cup."

Headed by captain Phil Burrows - who missed yesterday's announcement and training session at Crown Relocations Stadium as he is on his honeymoon - with 233 caps, the Black Sticks boast an experienced line-up with Archibald on 232 and Hopping (209) boosting the average number of caps to 90.

At the other end of the scale, goalkeeper Stephen Graham, 23, has eight caps, one more than David Green (North Harbour).

New Zealand, the eighth-ranked team on the FIH's latest list, face a testing draw if they are to fulfil Burrows' wish to reach the semifinals.

They face world No 11 Canada first-up followed by the Netherlands (4), Korea (5), Argentina (14) and world No 1 Germany in their last pool game.

NZ MEN'S SQUAD

FOR WORLD CUP

New Delhi, India, February 28-March 13

GOALKEEPERS

Stephen Graham (Midlands), Kyle Pontifex (Wellington)

DEFENDERS

Dean Couzins (Auckland), Andy Hayward (Midlands), Nick Haig (Canterbury), Blair Hopping (North Harbour), Richard Petherick (Midlands)

MIDFIELDERS

Ryan Archibald (Auckland), Ben Collier (North Harbour), Steve Edwards (North Harbour), Hugo Inglis (Midlands), Shea McAleese (Central), Arun Panchia (Auckland)

STRIKERS

Phil Burrows (c, Wellington), Simon Child (Auckland), David Green (North Harbour), Nick Wilson (North Harbour), Joel Baker (Wellington) or Blair Hilton (Wellington) NZ GAMES March 1: v Canada

March 3: v Netherlands

March 5: v Korea

March 7: v Argentina

March 9: v Germany

March 10: Rest day

March 11/12/13: Play-offs