Hockey: Family celebrate double ton

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Jeff Archibald needed 17 years to play 100 games for the New Zealand men's hockey team. He retired on 101 - one of 15 centurions.

On Tuesday night in Napier, his 22-year-old son Ryan will play his 100th international - the first father and son double act.

Ryan Archibald will hit the ton just five-and-a-half years after he won his first cap.

New Zealand Hockey Federation chief executive Ramesh Patel was the first to hit the century - 20 years ago.

From Archibald's first test against Malaysia in Whangarei in November 1997 until the first of five tests against Canada in Palmerston North tomorrow, it has been very much a "have stick, will travel" life.

"I grew up in a hockey household," Archibald said on the eve of joining his team-mates for their second international series of the year. "I've always had a hockey stick in my hand."

His father, long regarded as one of the most skilful players in New Zealand hockey, was a member of the 1976 Olympic gold medal-winning team. His mother played to senior level in Auckland.

Archibald has enjoyed the support of his grandparents, Eric and Maureen Archibald, who have seen most of his games - at all levels. They will be in Napier, Archibald's first match at the Legends Hockey Stadium, for his 100th.

While he has lost count of how many sticks he has "worn out" - they eventually "go soft and break" - Archibald does admit to having had a few favourites.

With the support of stick manufacturer Mazon, he says he does choose a preferred stick before heading out to play.

In his early days Archibald recalls the excitement of getting to play "maybe once or twice a year" on the artificial [sand] surface at Lloyd Elsmore Park.

"We played almost all our hockey on grass when I was a kid," he said. "It was a huge buzz to play on the sand."

These days he plays almost exclusively on water-based pitches.

His favourite?

"Kuala Lumpur without doubt. It is an awesome stadium. Being fully enclosed with seating all around ... it is a great atmosphere, apart from the heat."

A stalwart of Auckland's Somerville club (as have been his family), Archibald acknowledges his Auckland Grammar School coach Larne Edmeads as perhaps his most influential coach.

"He was a really good influence," Archibald said. "He was a strong coach and tactically pretty astute."

He also recognises the present national team's coaching staff - Kevin Towns and assistant Charlie Oscroft - as being "very knowledgeable" and playing a big part in the team's high international standing.

Playing hockey at the highest level demands a juggling act from Archibald. He bypassed the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament in Malaysia this year to concentrate on his studies at Auckland University, where he is aiming to complete his BA/BCom degrees by the end of the year.

Other sports - he played first Xl cricket at Auckland Grammar and premiers for Cornwall - have largely gone by the way, although, like many hockey players, he does show some golfing ability.

Archibald welcomed the abolition of the offside rule in the late 1990s.

"That was a great move and has definitely improved the game. As an inside forward it allows me to play a bit higher and creates more space in midfield."

Archibald, who came into the national side as a 17-year-old, pays tribute to team-mates with whom he has played 98 internationals.

"I have enjoyed playing with them all. It is refreshing to turn out with players with their skills.

"I have been fortunate that many of the experienced ones such as Umesh Parag, Dion Gosling and Simon Towns have kept playing. They have been really helpful. Now, I see myself as taking that senior role."

Of the more recent arrivals in the national side, he has enjoyed the skills and dimensions Phil Burrows and Hayden Shaw have brought.

"With Phil at centre-forward we seem to work well together," Archibald said. "And it is huge having someone like Hayden in the team. His goal-scoring ability with the drag flick is great. He gives us such confidence."

Of his impending membership of the "100 club" and then going on to head his father's record, Archibald said: "That's quite cool."

And 200? "That's not really in my mind. My biggest target is getting to an Olympics. Dad was selected for three. That will take some beating."

Canadian matches:

Tomorrow: First test, Palmerston North, 1.15pm.

Tuesday: Second test, Napier, 7pm.

Wednesday: Third test, Napier, 7pm.

May 3: Fourth test, Levin, 3.15pm.

May 4: Fourth test, Wellington, 3pm.

Inside track:

* Name: Ryan Archibald.

* Date of birth: September 1, 1980.

* Debut for NZ: v Malaysia, Whangarei, November 1997.

* Games for NZ: 98.

* Goals for NZ: 26.

* Position: Inside-right.

* Club: Somerville (Auckland).