Hockey: Home crowd a big boost and rare opportunity

Ranked in the bottom two of the eight teams in the Champions Trophy, captain Dean Couzins (right) says the New Zealand believe they can do a good job. Photo / Getty Images

The chance to play a major tournament at home is not lost on new Black Sticks captain Dean Couzins and the players he will lead at this week's FIH Owen G Glenn Champions Trophy.

"First up, Hockey New Zealand have done a great job to secure it," said Couzins as he waited to tee off at golf this week. "We don't get many chances to play at home, especially in tournaments like this.

"It is not just on the field when you know the crowd is behind you, but off the field as well. Playing in a place like Auckland is a far cry than say New Delhi where we were for last year's World Cup.

"There the security was obviously much tighter and it was very much a case of having to look after ourselves and amuse yourself. Here the environment is much more comfortable and it is much easier to get away from hockey," he said. "Maybe just a case of getting out to a cafe for a coffee or, like we are doing today, playing nine holes on a par-three golf course."

Asked who were the golfers in the squad, Couzins said "not me" but offered up Hugo Inglis and Ryan Archibald as being "pretty sharp".

While New Zealand go into the tournament ranked in the bottom two of the eight nations, Couzins said their sights, like every other team's, were set higher.

"Initially on making the top four which means you are in with a chance of a medal," said Couzins. "After that, who knows? If we play well, we can, on any given day give any team a run.

"But, if we beat Germany on day one, we then have to back that up against Korea on day two otherwise that win counts for little."

Couzins is playing his third Champions Trophy and was in the team who beat the Dutch in Germany last year, but knows there won't be any easy games this time.

"There certainly is no fear factor. We have to believe in ourselves. With the coaching we have had and the experience we have got we have the blend to do a job."

Although Couzins has not lived in his hometown of Christchurch since he left school to go to university in Dunedin, he remains a fervent Crusaders supporter, much to his wife's despair as a Hurricanes fan.

"But, I do support the Auckland Hockey Association and what they have given me," said Couzins, who this year was player-coach at the Southern Districts club. "I certainly would like to do it again next year but much will depend on our international commitments."

Which, given the new blue turf is now open for business at Westlake Girls' High School, are likely to be extensive.

"We are lucky we will get the chance to play on the same surface that will be used for the Olympics. It could be a small advantage but we have to take any we can."

With the full support of his employers at ANZ National Bank, Couzins is able to fit hockey around his employment. "Without their support I would be struggling," he said.

Of his future beyond the Olympics, Couzins, like others in the Black Sticks, is unsure.

"At the moment the Olympics are my sole focus. I will reassess things after that."

Pitched, perhaps a little surprisingly, into the captaincy in taking over from Phil Burrows, Couzins said the only pressure he felt was in lifting his game to a level where he could lead by example.

At a time when calls on penalty corner variations and substitutions come from beyond the white line, Couzins admits his on-field input is minimal.

"We have a really experienced group of players in Ryan Archibald, Phil Burrows, Blair Hopping, Shea McAleese and Kyle Pontifex so the pressure is not all on one player."

What if a penalty stroke is awarded?

"Yes, that is a call I would have to make. There are a few guys who can take them but if it fell to me I would step up."

The other step he would like to make is on to the dais at the end of the Champions Trophy. That would make all the hard work off and on the field by the players, support staff and administration really worthwhile.