Hockey: NZ men could still play Champions Challenge

New Zealand could still be a starter at next year's men's Champions Challenge tournament in Egypt.

But even if they won the April tournament they would not return to the top six Champions Trophy until late 2006. Initially New Zealand Hockey and national coach Kevin Towns had expressed doubts about making the out-of-season trip.

Towns yesterday returned from this year's Trophy tournament in Pakistan after a stopover in Malaysia where he had talks with their national association.

"Malaysian hockey is in disarray following the death of their general secretary about three months ago," Towns said. "Originally we weren't on the list for next June's Azlan Shah tournament but that might now change.

"The Malaysians aren't happy that some teams have turned up with B teams for their tournament. New Zealand have always taken their best possible team which is viewed very favourably.

"As a lead-in to that, we are hoping to play a five-test series here in May. Originally I had pencilled in a test series for July," Towns said. "It would make sense to bring it forward as preparation for the Azlan Shah.

"While we had not thought too seriously about next year's Champions Challenge, it has come back into my focus."

Towns now intends to sound out the players who were in the team which last week finished sixth, and last, in the Champions Trophy in Lahore.

"I was disappointed with some of the players' performances in Pakistan," Towns said. "We need to have a look at the squad and see where we go from here. It could be four or five players from that team might not be in the next selection.

"We have a training camp planned for March with about 35 players. It could be in our interest to bring that forward.

"Before Christmas I will have determined our programme through to the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games and will, hopefully, have spoken to the players to ascertain what their plans are.

"I will also be speaking to the other selectors about what they saw in the under-21 World Cup qualifying series against Australia.

"We have to look at that and reconsider NHL form before coming up with the list of players we need to look at."

Towns said he would also speak to trainer John Lythe to see whether the long rest period the players had after Athens contributed to some sub-par efforts in Pakistan.