Hockey: Hard-hitter calls time on Aussies

If New Zealand topple Australia to nail a place in next year's World Cup, it will be at least partly due to Indira Gandhi.

Not the former Indian Prime Minister, but the hockey tournament in New Delhi named after her. In their opening game this month, the Black Sticks drew 0-0 with Australia. It ended a 19-game losing run to their next door neighbours dating back to their 3-0 win in Sydney in July 2000.

It might not sound much, and certainly the playing personnel preparing for this weekend's opening match of the three-game qualifying series is significantly different from that in India.

But you can't beat a morale-boosting result, especially when that New Zealand team was weaker than the full-strength combination at coach Ian Rutledge's disposal on Sunday.

"In the past we've kind of put Australia on a pedestal," senior striker Niniwa Roberts-Lang said yesterday.

"But over the past few years having an Australian coach has helped, and suddenly we've realised they're not everything we've made them out to be.

"That 0-0 draw was fantastic for the team, and it only makes us feel better going into this series."

Roberts-Lang, Takapuna-born but Wellington-raised, is one of the senior figures in the squad. At 29, she's played 101 internationals and is an integral part of what is becoming a quality penalty corner operation.

Penalty corners are akin in importance to soccer's penalty kicks. You've got to make the most of them, and the Black Sticks have fine-tuned their set-piece to a high degree of efficiency.

Roberts-Lang, one of the hardest hitters of the ball, and Lizzy Igasan, the drag-flick option who also packs plenty of punch, are the two most obvious alternatives.

Roberts-Lang has been scoring goals ever since her debut international, when she bagged two against India in Whangarei.

She scored four out of four penalty corners in one game for Wellington against Canterbury in this month's national league, which is a first, but success doesn't come without a pile of practice.

"Our whole penalty corner bracket has worked really hard to make them one of the strong points of our game," she said. "They are set plays, and if we're not nailing them, you kind of feel you're letting the team down."

Roberts-Lang has attempted the drag-flick technique, which has made Hayden Shaw one of the most lethal finishers in the men's game, but found it wasn't for her.

"I've given it a go a couple of times, but it's not the easiest technique to learn. But Lizzy's got a fantastic hit. She's an amazing player.

"It's always good to have variations up our sleeve. The fact we've got quite a few options at the top of our circle puts doubt in defenders' minds."

A strength of the New Zealand squad is the blend of the seasoned with the teenagers, most notably 16-year-old Northland school pupil Charlotte Harrison, a fifth former at Whangarei Girls High School who is the youngest player to be called into the national squad.

Roberts-Lang, who calls herself "one of the nanas" in the 18-strong group, reckons Rutledge has done terrific work filtering players through the system and integrating the up and comers.

"That's good for New Zealand hockey. We won't have a fall-off in players. It's a great balance, and all credit to New Zealand Hockey and Ian's design in bringing these young players through.

"He's bringing new concepts into the team. Here you are thinking you know the game at 29, but I'm still learning."

Fit after a series of back, wrist, calf and thumb injuries since July's Champions Challenge tournament victory in the United States - their first title since the Olympic qualifying tournament in England six years ago - Roberts-Lang is thriving in the environment.

So much so, that retirement is a dirty word. She's relishing being part of an exciting time for the Black Sticks.

"After the Olympics in Athens last year I thought I'd love to go to another one. But at the moment I'm only looking as far as the Commonwealth Games next year and winning a medal.

"It's all dependent on selection. If the body is still willing I'll keep going as far as I can. But one thing at a time."

Starting on Sunday.

A week of it

What: World Cup qualifying series

When: Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga, Sunday, 1.15pm, then Sydney next Thursday and Saturday

The Prize: Place in the World Cup in Madrid, next September

World rankings: Australia 4th, New Zealand 6th