Hockey: Injuries hamper Black Sticks choices for Oceania Cup

Striker Simon Child, who has scored 96 goals in 179 internationals, will enhance the attacking line. Photo / Brett Phibbs

In an ideal world, New Zealand would be grouped with Australia when the teams travel to the World League finals in India in January.

That would add extra spice to the two Oceania Cup clashes in Taranaki when the teams play a four-team event, also featuring Samoa and Papua New Guinea.

Instead, although the draw for the men's finals is not out yet, Black Sticks coach Colin Batch knows that world No 5 New Zealand will be grouped with Olympic champions Germany, England and India, while second-ranked Australia will be in with the Netherlands, Belgium and Argentina.

Still, any contest with the Australians, coached by former New Zealand Cricket high performance director Ric Charlesworth, is to be relished and the round robin and - presumably - final won't lack for sting.

They will also offer top class preparation for India. Their last clash was at the Azlan Shah tournament in Malaysia in March, the Aussies winning 3-2.

"They're always difficult opponents," former Australian international Colin Batch said yesterday.

"They have had some injury problems but will be well prepared so it'll be a good challenge for us."

Batch would probably also like to field a full strength squad in Taranaki, but injuries have ruined any chance of that.

Five players are out, but with the exception of Shay Neal, all should be ready for the trip to India.

The Northland player is to have a hip operation and will be sidelined until around February.

Experienced Andy Hayward, Bradley Shaw, Blair Hilton and talented striker Nick Wilson are getting over a range of injuries. The most significant is Wilson, who suffered bone bruising around a knee while on club duty in Rotterdam during the year.

The initial prognosis was a three- to six-month recovery period but Batch is optimistic Wilson will be fit in time for India.

"It's one thing to be right but we need a good five- to seven-week block of consolidated training," Batch said.

The good news is the return of three experienced players, classy striker Simon Child and 150-plus cap midfielders Shea McAleese and Steven Edwards.

Child, who has 96 goals in 179 internationals, missed the World League 3 tournament in Rotterdam, and the national league, but his quality will enhance an attacking line which Batch believes, when all players are available, to be as good as most in the world game.

"If we get Wilson back we've got quite a healthy group going forward," Batch said.

"It adds to the whole concept of depth we are creating, and competition for places."

Hawkes Bay will host a "Festival of Hockey" next April, with Hockey New Zealand announcing additional tournaments to run alongside the inaugural six-team international women's event at the new, world class Hastings Regional Sports Park.

There will now be a six-team men's and women's event with Australian Country, New Zealand seniors and Hawkes Bay seniors fielding teams in both, with two to be confirmed.