Hockey: Former skipper eyeing return for Rio

Former Black Sticks skipper Kayla Whitelock says she wants to be 100 per cent fit before contemplating a return to the national side. Photo / Greg Bowker

New Zealand's most experienced internationals Kayla Whitelock and Emily Naylor are on track for a return to the national team before next year's Rio Olympics.

The pair took time out after last year's Commonwealth Games but returned to play for Central in this week's national league in Whangarei.

In Whitelock's case, she went to Japan with her rugby-playing husband George, and their first baby, Addison, arrived just over four months ago.

In their absence, New Zealand, ranked fourth in the world, qualified for the Olympics and have produced quality performances. Whitelock and Naylor, with their accumulated hockey wisdom, would be positive additions to the mix.

Whitelock is eyeing a return, possibly in time for December's World League 4 tournament in Argentina, but her desire to make the Olympic squad is strong. However, first the world-class midfielder has to get herself up to speed, fitness-wise.

"It's not too bad, but not where I need to be in terms of playing at this level," said Whitelock, who was the Black Sticks skipper until taking her break.

She damaged the AC joint in a shoulder in Central's game on Thursday but thinks it's more of a niggle than serious.

"I started training at the end of June, had two warmup games then into it, so it hasn't been a great buildup. But each game I've played I've felt better and better, getting more touches."

She had a chat with national coach Mark Hager before the NHL began, and again yesterday - "just sussing out the programme and where I'm at in terms of level of fitness. We've started the ball rolling".

Next month's Oceania Cup in Stratford against world No2 Australia is "way too soon" for a comeback. Whitelock insists she's not at the standard needed for that level of play.

However, her good mate, and fellow 29-year-old, Naylor - the most-capped Black Stick with 256 internationals, 27 more than Whitelock - could be a different story.

"To be honest, Emily could probably go straight back in. Probably having a year off has been great for her. She's always been naturally fit and she's playing the best I've seen in a long time."

On one point Whitelock is adamant: she won't return to the New Zealand squad prematurely. "I don't want to go in underdone, to make up numbers. If I'm back in that squad I want to be at 100 per cent."

Finalists at the NHL will be decided today, with top qualifier Canterbury playing hosts Northland and defending champions Auckland facing an in-form Midlands team, who boast the K Cup's leading scorer, Gemma Flynn, with eight.

Auckland were comfortably the best team in the men's Challenge Shield round robin and face fourth qualifier Capital today. Auckland, chasing a fifth successive men's title (they shared the 2011 crown with Central), were beaten 2-1 by Southern on Thursday in their final round robin game - their first loss in the competition - but were without national skipper Simon Child and international Arun Panchia. They are at full strength for today. Southern meet Midlands in the other semifinal, with finals to be played tomorrow.