Hockey: Selection wide open says Hager

Black Sticks' coach Mark Hager. Photo / Natalie Slade

Black Sticks women's coach Mark Hager insists he has yet to ink in any names on his Olympic selection list but does admit some are there in pencil.

Back-to-back four-nation tournaments over the next 10 days also involving the United States, Australia and India might have Hager in a better position to firm up his Olympic thinking but he says the final 18-player squad who will prepare in Europe before naming his 16 for the London Olympics is more likely to emerge from the May-June Asian tour and matches against China and Korea.

"Selection is still wide open," said Hager ahead of today's match against India at the North Harbour Hockey Stadium. "We have just come off a three-match friendly series against Japan in which we won all three games. What we saw was a definite, and pleasing, step up from what we had seen against Argentina, which in turn was a step up from our disappointing Champions Trophy.

"While the thought of [Olympic] selection is obviously in every player's thinking, I have told them I want them to just go out and play. You want them to perform under pressure but at the same time there is a fine line as you can never take away the fear of selection.

"The players can't control selection so I feel it is more a case of simply going out and impressing by playing their best hockey."

The two four-match series - against three countries just below them on FIH rankings - give the Black Sticks much-needed game time and the opportunity to fine tune. At the same time, they have to be wary that Australia (ranked one place lower than New Zealand at seven in the world) and the US (10) will be in New Zealand's pool at the Olympics. India, who are not heading for London, are ranked 13.

"We are fortunate in having these games against quality opposition. Australia are still hurting in falling below us in the rankings and have come here with a full-strength team determined to gain a psychological advantage before London," said Hager. "The US, too, are at full strength while India are a bit of an unknown."

He said that while his team would square off against the Australians and Americans at the Olympics there would not be much foxing in these games. "They know our penalty corner variations just as we know theirs."

Hager has named 18 players, headed by centurions Emily Naylor, Kayla Sharland, Krystal Forgesson, Charlotte Harrison and Clarissa Eshuis (to be joined by Gemma Flynn three games into the series) for the first matches and will reselect his team for next week's second series on Tuesday.

FOUR NATIONS

Series one, North Harbour Hockey Stadium:

* Today, 4.30pm Australia v US; 6.30pm New Zealand v India.
* Tomorrow, 4.30pm India v US; 6.30pm New Zealand v Australia.
* Sunday, 4.30pm India v Australia; 6.30pm New Zealand v US.
* Monday, 4pm 3 v 4; 6.30pm 1 v 2.

Series two, Lloyd Elsmore Hockey Stadium:

* Wednesday, April 18, 1pm India v US; 3pm NZ v Australia.
* April 19, 1pm Australia v India; 3pm New Zealand v US.
* April 21, 5.30pm Australia v US; 7.30pm New Zealand v India.
* April 22, 5pm 3 v 4; 7.30pm 1 v 2.