Hockey: New look for NZ women's team

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Seven players are set for their international debuts when the New Zealand women's hockey team plays four tests against Korea next month.

Among the new caps are 17-year-old Manawatu midfielder Melody Rowe and North Harbour 18-year-old defender Lizzie Igasan.

They are joined by other newcomers Paula Enoka, Carol Ward, Penny Munns, Meredith Orr and Jaimee Provan.

Five of the 2000 Olympic squad, with over 500 international appearances among them, have retired.

Kate Trolove, Jenny Duck, Rachel Petrie, Kyle Foy and Tina Bell-Kake have played their last tests and Anna Lawrence, Mandy Smith and Moira Senior will bypass the matches against the Koreans but should be available for the series against India in May.

Olympians Skippy McGregor and Di Weavers are playing in Germany this year.

In naming his side for the matches in Wellington (March 3 and 10), Napier (March 6) and Levin (March 8), coach Jan Borren has recalled Leisen Jobe, who has played 50 games for New Zealand, Lisa Walton (68) and Rachel Sutherland (10).

Of the Olympic survivors, only Sandy Bennett (110) and Suzie Pearce (115) have had more than 100 internationals, although they should be joined by goalkeeper Helen Clarke, who needs just three games to join the "100 club." The other returning Olympians are Anne-Marie Irving, Caryn Paewai and Michelle Turner.

Borren has not named a captain. He intends to name a "leader" for each of this year's internationals against Korea, India and Australia - but only to carry out formalities such as tossing the coin, leading the team on to the field and making the after-match speech.

New Zealand women's team to play South Korea.-

Goalkeepers: Helen Clarke (Auckland), Anne-Marie Irving (Canterbury). Defenders: Paula Enoka, Lizzie Igasan (North Harbour), Sandy Bennett (Auckland). Midfield: Rachel Sutherland, Suzie Pearce, Caryn Paewai (Wellington), Meredith Orr, Leisen Jobe (Auckland), Michelle Turner (Canterbury), Melody Rowe (Manawatu). Forwards: Penny Munns, Carol Ward (Canterbury), Jaimee Provan, Lisa Walton (Auckland).