Hockey: NZ v Oz becomes annual contest

NZ and Australia's men's and women's international teams will clash in the new series. Photo / Duncan Brown

Rugby has its Bledisloe Cup, cricket hopes a relaunching of the Chappell-Hadlee series is in the pipeline, and now the transtasman hockey rivals have locked in an annual contest.

The two national bodies have agreed on a four-year deal to have a men's and women's international clash, starting next year.

On top of that, New Zealand's men are going to Hobart for four tests - two against the Aussies, one each against Pakistan and Korea - starting on May 2.

The format for the transtasman series is yet to be finalised but the proposal is for the four teams to battle for one trophy in two international matches each year at the same venue.

"We expect that this new annual contest will be a real step forward for the sport in terms of engaging fans and raising the profile of hockey on both sides of the Tasman," said Hockey New Zealand chief executive Malcolm Harris.

The men's Black Sticks penalty shootout win over Australia in the final of the Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia this month is sure to have sparked some interest.

Also this month, Australia won the final of the Festival of Hockey in Hastings with a last-minute goal against New Zealand.

Australia have the higher rankings - their men are No1, and the women No2, while New Zealand's men are seventh and the women fourth - but there's little between the teams, so the chances of embarrassing blowouts are slim.

"We have the chance to develop something from scratch with entertainment and the fan experience at the heart, creating a new, big event," Hockey Australia chief executive Cam Vale said. "Sport and sports fans love the Australia-New Zealand rivalry and the rivalry in hockey is one of the closest there is. On any day, either country can come out on top."

The growth of the sport in both countries has also been cited as a positive outcome from the series.

Both countries will work together with broadcasters, sponsors and fans on innovations with the aim of lifting its profile on the two nations' sporting calendars.

New Zealand will host next year's first matches, and Australia will be the venue in 2017. The venues for the games are yet to be finalised.