Hockey: Hager puts faith in side that upset Aussies

Sam Harrison will go as a 19th squad member. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Last week's Oceania Cup triumph over Australia has brought an instant reward for Mark Hager's women's Black Sticks.

He has named all 18 members of the winning team for next month's Champions Challenge tournament in South Africa. He has also added young Aucklander Sam Harrison as a 19th squad member.

"They all deserve the chance to play in another tournament so it was not a hard call," said Hager. "While we as selectors will watch the National Hockey League with a view to making changes to the national squad, there would not be enough time to wait until the end of the league before naming the team to travel."

All the South Africa-bound players will play in the NHL - starting next Saturday - including former internationals Honor Dillon and Bridget Kight, who were unavailable for selection this year because of work commitments.

Hager has included Harrison in the touring party as cover and with the intention of playing her in some of the four warm-up games planned before the Champions Challenge. "We see this as a good opportunity to further her development and I intend to play her in the games prior to the tournament. We already have three games confirmed against South Africa at Stellenbosch and are hoping to play the fourth against Korea or Spain who are ranked higher than us."

Hager has set his sights initially on reaching the top four [semifinals] at the tournament which will be played in Cape Town. "To make it through to next year's Champions Trophy we have to win this tournament," said Hager. "That will be difficult as Spain, Korea and Japan are all ranked higher than us. Given the draw we would likely come up against either Spain or Korea in the crossover game [semifinals]. "Despite our win over Australia, I am under no illusions. We still have a long way to go and we have to play better but at least winning there has got us into the World Cup."

Unlike Australia who are still smarting from the loss to the Black Sticks in a penalty stroke shootout.

Their bitter coach Frank Murray, who Hager played under in the Australian national team, has hit out at decisions which he said led to the upset loss. "Giving the penalty stroke was a ridiculous decision and then there was another one with the send-off," said Murray. "I went to town on her [umpire Corinne Cornelius] after the game. Hockey is a stupid game."

CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE

October 11-18, Cape Town

Pool A

South Africa (ranked 12th)
New Zealand (11th)
Japan (6th)
Chile (17th)

Pool B

Korea (9th)
Azerbaijan (13th)
Italy (16th)
Spain (7th)

New Zealand Team

Kayla Sharland (Central), Emily Naylor (Central), Krystal Forgesson (Auckland), Kate Saunders (Canterbury), Katie Glynn (Auckland), Stacey Carr (Canterbury), Ella Gunson (Auckland), Beth Jurgeleit (Wellington), Clarissa Eshuis (Midlands), Lucy Talbot (Auckland), Stacey Brannigan (Auckland), Sam Harrison (Auckland), Gemma Flynn (Midlands), Anna Thorpe (Northland), Kate Mahon (Midlands), Charlotte Harrison (Northland), Bianca Russell (North Harbour), Stacey Michelsen (North Harbour), Anita Punt (Wellington).