Hockey: Veterans make up squad numbers

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Despite their disappointing showing in the national league, Auckland have supplied the greatest number of players to the New Zealand women's team/development squad.

Coach Ian Rutledge has, not surprisingly, gone for experience in naming his 25-strong national squad who will prepare for two matches against Argentina next month and then the all-important Olympic qualifying tournament in Auckland next March.

There are no newcomers in that squad. Only seven have played fewer than a dozen internationals, with the list headed by 181-cap veteran Suzie Pearce. Fellow centurions Helen Clarke (146), Di Weavers (125) and Caryn Paewai (100) join her.

Clarke, Meredith Orr, Karen Syddall and Lisa Walton are the four Auckland players in the squad. New national league champions Wellington have five players and beaten finalists Canterbury six among the 25-strong squad.

Auckland have six of the 10 players named in the development squad selected with an eye towards next year's junior World Cup qualifiers against Australia.

Walton (72 caps) and North Harbour's Leisen Jobe (73) return to the national side for the first time since 2001. Canterbury goalkeeper Anne-Marie Irving (51) and team-mate Rachel Robertson (14) are back after playing last year but missing selection in matches this year.

"I believe the quality of players is extremely high. We have immense depth, experience and talent," said Rutledge.

The national squad will assemble in Auckland for a training camp on November 16 to prepare for the tests against Argentina. An 18-strong squad for those tests will be named next week.

The eight players not involved in the matches against the Argentinians will spend the first four days in camp with the selected squad members.

National squad: Helen Clarke, Meredith Orr, Karen Syddall, Lisa Walton (Auckland), Connie Igasan, Lizzy Igasan, Leisen Jobe, Jaimee Provan (North Harbour), Caryn Paewai (Hawkes Bay), Tara Drysdale, Melody Rowe, Kayla Sharland, Rachel Sutherland, Anita Wawatai (Manawatu), Priya Bhikha, Beth Jurgeleit, Suzie Pearce, Sheree Phillips, Niniwa Roberts-Lang (Wellington), Stacey Carr, Amanda Christie, Jo Galletly, Anne-Marie Irving, Rachel Robertson, Di Weavers (Canterbury).

Development squad: Jessica Brewster, Frances Kreft, Jan Rowsell, Elizabeth Ryan, Caroline Stuart, Roberta Thornley (Auckland), Kate Mahon (North Harbour), Pania Mateparae, Emily Naylor (Manawatu), Nikki Grimwood (Canterbury).