KEY POINTS:
Four young players have been handed the chance of international debuts in the three tests against the world-class Dutch side after an exhaustive series of trial matches in Auckland this week.
Canterbury defenders Nick Haig, 19, and Andy Hayward, 21, were yesterday named in the 18-man Black Sticks squad for the series which starts at Lloyd Elsmore Park on Sunday.
They will be joined by Canterbury striker Jan Petersen, 22, and goalkeeper Stephen Graham (Central), 21, in a squad which also includes most of New Zealand's most experienced players.
Also back in the frame after being missing for a couple of years is defender Casey Henwood, 26, who has been playing in Australia and now Holland. He is keen to add to his 20 caps.
Kevin Towns, convener of selectors and former national men's coach, said all the players named in the team were at the trials.
"A couple of players, Shea McAleese and David Kosoof in particular, had fitness issues and were not seriously considered," he said.
Towns, stand-in coach Shane McLeod and selectors Keith Rowley and John Christensen, choose the team. They will today announce up to 25 players to attend training camps this year.
A trio of the Black Sticks' most experienced players - Mitesh Patel, Paul Woolford and Gareth Brooks - were unavailable for selection although Woolford and Patel are likely to be in contention later in the year.
Towns said the New Zealanders could expect some tough matches against the Dutch, who have brought most of their first-choice players to New Zealand.
Headed by 351-test veteran Jeroen Delmee and with superstar Teun de Nooijer (342 caps) in the squad, the visitors have a wealth of experience. A further seven players have played more than 100 times for their country.
It is only in goal that they lack real experience following the withdrawal of 205-test veteran Guus Vogels.
Those duties will now be shared by rookie Jaap Stockman, 22, and Klaas Veering, 25, with 35 caps.
In their most recent clash, at last September's World Cup in Germany, the Dutch beat New Zealand 3-0 in what was a disappointing tournament for them.
The Netherlands finished just one place ahead of New Zealand in seventh - their worst effort in 16 years and the first time outside the medals.
This three-test series signals the start of a busy year for the Black Sticks.
Eight-day training camps are planned for April and May as preparation for the June 23-30 Champions Challenge tournament in Belgium. The winner will qualify for the 2008 Champions Trophy which is seen as an important lead-in to the Beijing Olympics. New Zealand hope to play at least two tests in Germany en route to Belgium.
A four-nation pre-Olympic tournament has been mooted for Beijing in August, and New Zealand also hope to compete there. If not, other options include the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament in Malaysia or a four-test series in New Zealand against a yet-to-be-determined opponent.
These matches will round off preparations for September's Oceania Olympic qualifiers in Australia at which New Zealand, Australia and probably Fiji will chase one Olympic qualifying spot.
The National Hockey League will be played in October and, if New Zealand does not snatch the direct route to the Olympics, there are likely to be four home tests in January as preparation for the Olympic qualifying tournament at North Harbour in February.
SCHEDULE
1st test: Sunday, Lloyd Elsmore Park 3pm
2nd test: Tuesday, Lloyd Elsmore Park 7pm
3rd test: Friday January 26, Blake Park, Mt Maunganui 7pm
Results of matches between NZ and the Netherlands since 2002
2002 (six-nation tournament, Malaysia): NZ 3 Netherlands 1, Netherlands 10 NZ 2
2002 (World Cup, Malaysia): Netherlands 4 NZ 0
2004 (Olympic Games, Athens): Netherlands 4 NZ 3
2004 (Champions Trophy, Pakistan): Netherlands 5 NZ 2
2005 (European tour): NZ 0 Netherlands 0
2006 (Azlan Shah, Malaysia): NZ 0 Netherlands 0
2006 (World Cup, Germany): Netherlands 3 NZ 0
