Hockey: Selections bridge the generations

You can just about picture the conversation when 16-year-old Charlotte Harrison seeks a tip from Black Sticks captain Suzie Muirhead.

Northland fifth-former Harrison is the youngest player to be picked for New Zealand; Muirhead is preparing for her 223rd international at Lloyd Elsmore Park on Sunday.

It won't quite be "once upon a time, Charlotte", but it's worth remembering Wellington midfielder Muirhead, 30, did make her Black Sticks debut in 1993, when Harrison was four.

Throw in Manawatu 19-year-olds Emily Naylor and Kayla Sharland - who have 45 and 62 caps respectively - and 18-year-old Clarissa Eshuis from Canterbury and it's clear coach Ian Rutledge is making sure the best young talent is sprouting through to the national squad.

"We're trying to develop depth," he said.

"We try to provide opportunities for players, but the most important thing is the players are selected on merit.

"We want to win this series against Australia so we're picking the best players available. It just happens some are very young, but you're always conscious you're on a four-year plan building to an Olympic medal."

Rutledge likes what he's seen of Harrison, pointing to a maturity and level-headedness beyond her years.

"One of the fears when you pick young players, who obviously have natural and physical abilities, is whether they have the maturity to handle pressure.

"She's got the physical qualities, but also a fantastic off-field demeanour."

At the other end of the age scale, there are four players 30 or over.

Canterbury's Michelle Hollands is back at 31, after a break from the national squad, and other returning long-serving senior players are 156-cap defender Di Weavers, and two other centurions, Caryn Paewai and Moira Senior.

Of the 18 players - who will be reduced to 16 before the start of Sunday's series opener - 11 have played 40 or more internationals.

That gives an idea of the depth of experience Rutledge has built up. Five have played fewer than 20, and that's the nod to the future.

Black Sticks squad

Goalkeepers: Beth Jurgeleit (Wellington, 26 caps), Anita Wawatai (Central, 15)

Defenders: Emily Naylor (Central, 45), Lizzy Igasan (North Harbour, 76), Clarissa Eshuis (Canterbury, 11), Caryn Paewai (Central, 110), Di Weavers (Midlands, 156), Frances Kreft (Auckland, 19)

Midfielders: Kayla Sharland (Central, 62), Meredith Orr (Canterbury, 79), Stacey Carr (Canterbury, 50), Michelle Hollands (Canterbury, 83), Suzie Muirhead (capt, Wellington, 222)

Strikers: Niniwa Roberts-Lang (Wellington, 101), Charlotte Harrison (Northland, 0), Honor Dillon (Canterbury, 21), Moira Senior (Central, 112), Krystal Forgesson (Auckland, 5).