Hockey: Door opens for three new Black Sticks to face US

New Zealand coach Ian Rutledge has continued his revolving door policy in naming three debutantes in the national women's team to play a five-test home series against the United States next month.

Eleven of the players who helped the Black Sticks to their sixth place finish at last year's Athens Olympics have held their places for the May 14-21 matches in the lower North Island.

The three newcomers are Waikato defender Clarissa Eshuis, 18, Canterbury midfielder Jane Maley, 24, and Auckland striker Liz Ryan, 19. They are joined by Jo Galletly, Honor Dillon, Sheree Phillips and Anita Wawatai, who all played in the Champions Trophy in Argentina last December but were not part of the Olympic squad.

Wellington's Suzie Muirhead, who was unavailable for the Champions Trophy, returns to again lead the side. Di Weavers, who has moved from Canterbury to the Bay of Plenty will be vice-captain.

North Harbour striker and 88-international veteran Jaimee Provan also returns after missing the trip to Argentina.

Karlie Maloney (North Harbour) and Rachel Robertson (Canterbury) have made themselves unavailable for the national squad as they re-assess their futures. Rachel Sutherland, a 2004 Olympian, has made herself unavailable in the meantime but is likely to return later in the year.

Last year's player of the year Lizzie Igasan, who was hampered by injury in the NHL and in Argentina, is back to full fitness and has been named in the 18-strong squad.

Rutledge and co-selectors Chris Leslie, Suzette Eastmond and Sue McLeish named their squad after an intense training camp at the Millennium Institute of Sport and Health/Rangitoto College from last Friday to Monday.

"The speed, strength and fitness of the players were at the highest level I have seen since I have been involved with the national team," Rutledge said.

"The group has made great progress. There is a real desire to build on the Olympic experience as we move towards next year's Commonwealth Games."

The five tests will be vital preparation for the Champions Challenge tournament in the United States from July 8-16, where New Zealand will meet England, Japan, South Africa, Spain and the US - all teams ranked between 7-12 in the world.

The winner goes on to play next year's Champions Trophy.

The squad

New Zealand selection v United States

Lizzy Igasan, Jaimee Provan (North Harbour), Liz Ryan (Auckland), Di Weavers (Bay of Plenty), Clarissa Eshuis (Waikato), Tara Drysdale, Emily Naylor, Sheree Phillips, Kayla Sharland, Anita Wawatai (Manawatu), Beth Jurgeleit, Suzie Muirhead, Niniwa Roberts-Lang (Wellington), Stacey Carr, Honor Dillon, Jo Galletly, Jane Maley, Meredith Orr (Canterbury).

Test dates:

May 14, Wellington;
May 16, Napier; May 17, Napier;
May 19, Levin; May 21, Wellington.