Hockey: Expect a lift by Towns' new boys

Lesson one behind them, Kevin Towns' new boys on the block are back in action for test two against Malaysia in Hamilton tonight.

They will not need to improve too much on what they showed in the 3-3 opener on Tuesday night to go one better against a team a couple of places lower on the FIH ranking.

Also expect something better from the visitors. A far more experienced squad than Towns' largely experimental mob, the Malaysians fronted for the first test less than 48 hours after their arrival, and turned out with just two training runs and a low-key match as preparation.

Towns' mix-and-match policy continues for the game at Gallagher Hockey Centre tonight, with 18-year-old Waikato defender Richard Petherick set for his international debut in front of what promises to be an enthusiastic home crowd.

Depending on Bryce Collins' fitness - he must overcome a groin injury - his North Harbour team-mate Ben Collier, 20, could become the eighth debutant in the series.

Collins was originally expected to play at Crown Stadium on Tuesday, but was sidelined. Towns hopes he will be fit for tonight's game as he wants to rest him from Saturday's third test and play him in Sunday's fourth.

Towns has opted to make a flying visit to Hamilton for tonight's match, but the visitors travelled yesterday to prepare.

After a gym session yesterday morning, the New Zealanders trained in the afternoon with the emphasis on making more of attacking opportunities.

"The only disappointment in the first test was the lack of circle penetration," Towns said.

"We created opportunities but did not turn them to anything. Our combinations up front did not quite work out. That is just a case of having more time together and getting the shape of the strikers right.

"But overall, I would give the players a seven out of 10 for a solid first-up effort."

Towns said they were "spending as much time as we can allow" on penalty corners.

Perhaps they should worry more about keeping them out as much as scoring, given the pinpoint accuracy of Malaysian captain Kuhan Shanmuganathan, who scored two-from-two in the series opener.

New Zealand, on the other hand, converted one-from-three, a return Towns was happy with.