Hockey: Couzins looks set to join test centurions

Dean Couzins is set to join the "100" club at this month's Sultan Azlan Shah tournament but Paul Woolford, the long-serving goalkeeper, might need to call in a favour from coach Kevin Towns to reach the milestone.

Defender Couzins, 25, has played 97 times for the Black Sticks and will get enough game time at the eight-team tournament in Kuala Lumpur to join New Zealand hockey's centurions.

Woolford, 29, has played only one game less than Couzins, but with Towns certain to again split the goalkeeping duties between Woolford and Kyle Pontifex, he might not make it.

Woolford's chances of joining Couzins with 100 caps could depend on the status of two pre-tournament matches Towns has planned against India.

"India originally wanted us to go to Chennai for those matches," said Towns. "That wasn't really an option so we will play them in Malaysia. Provided we meet all FIH requirements they should be classified as official tests."

Towns has made changes to the team that played in April's successful World Cup qualifying for this last hit-out before the World Cup.

He has rested Phil Burrows and Bryce Collins to give them time to recover from injuries and has left out Hamish Baron and Shaun Barnett, who were called in as late replacements for the qualifiers in China.

In comes debutante Wellington defender Scott Falconer, with recalls for Europe-based Mitesh Patel, Canterbury defender Hugh Copland, who gets the chance to add to the two tests he played against Malaysia here last year, and Midlands defender Richard Petherick, 20, who already has 13 caps.

"Burrows could have played but he, and I, are keen to give his [groin] injury as much time as we can," said Towns.

"In Collins' case we are taking him with us as the video analyst so he will still be in the loop, able to get daily treatment and allow us to monitor just how much hockey he plays."

NZ SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Paul Woolford (Auckland), Kyle Pontifex (Wellington).

Defenders: Dean Couzins (Auckland), Scott Falconer (Wellington), Brad Shaw (Canterbury), Hayden Shaw (Canterbury), James Nation (Wellington), Shea McAleese (Canterbury), Hugh Copland (Canterbury), Richard Petherick (Midlands).

Midfielders: Mitesh Patel (England), Blair Hopping (North Harbour), Ryan Archibald (Auckland) capt, Ben Collier (North Harbour).

Strikers: Simon Child (Auckland), Bevan Hari (Wales), Lloyd Stephenson (North Harbour), Gareth Brooks (Auckland).