New Zealand U21 Men's Hockey team to Sultan of Johor Cup named

Sam Lane, playing for the Vantage Black Sticks in the Hockey World League Semi-finals last year in South Africa.

An exciting New Zealand U21 Men's hockey team has been named today for the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia, 6-13 October.

The side, including Vantage Black Stick Sam Lane, recently returned from a long injury lay off, and recent Black Sticks debutante Malachi Buschl, will play in the Annual 6 Nations tournament, comprising Great Britain, India, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and hosts Malaysia.

The tournament poses a genuine challenge for the young players being exposed to overseas travel, heat, media attention, experiencing a different culture and playing against tough international opposition, with 6 matches in 8 days.

Recently announced new coach, Bryce Collins, is relishing the opportunity in his first assignment "It's an exciting and well balanced team that I look forward to leading into caldron of Johor, Malaysia!"

"It's great to have guys like Sam Lane and Malachi Buschl in the team but also additional Development Squad members Kalyan Jeram, Reuben Andrews and Connor Greentree. So we'll have a good mix of experience and young talent."

The team named has an eye to the future with 12 players being named in the New Zealand U21 Men's team for the first time.

CLICK HERE to see the full New Zealand U21 Men's squad.



- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Hockey NZ