Hockey: Cairns draw puts team in good heart for Athens

By DAVID LEGGAT

Onwards and upwards are the twin ambitions of the New Zealand men's hockey team in their remaining two tests against Australia in Cairns this week.

New Zealand raised eyebrows with their display in the 3-3 draw in the first test on Tuesday night - they led 3-1 with seven minutes left, and 3-2 with 20s remaining - but captain Simon Towns insists this is not the time to sit back and reflect on a bright start to their countdown to the Athens Olympics.

"It was a big confidence booster, and it makes you feel pretty good about the work we've done back home," he said last night. "It's a hard thing to gauge how much you've improved at home without opposition to yardstick yourself."

Two goals from Phil Burrows and one from penalty corner specialist Hayden Shaw had world No 11 New Zealand on track for a surprise win over the third-ranked Australians, before a last-gasp goal from midfielder Troy Elder dug the hosts out of a hole.

The second test is tonight and the third on Saturday, and Towns knows the key is to build on what was achieved in the series opener.

Australia are in the final stages of their Games preparation. This series marks the end of a lengthy leadup programme before going into the Olympic village. By contrast, New Zealand have five more internationals in Europe after this series ends.

"There's a fair bit to work on," Towns said. "The first-half performance wasn't where we'd want to be in five weeks' time, but for now it was encouraging."