KEY POINTS:
New Zealand's medal-winning effort at the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament has left Black Sticks coach Shane McLeod with as many questions as answers in contemplating next month's nine-match European tour and, beyond that, the Beijing Olympics.
Outstanding efforts from late call-up Lloyd Stephenson and fellow inside-forwards Ben Collier and Shea McAleese in covering for injured captain Ryan Archibald, who did not play at all in Ipoh, has put the pressure on McLeod, who now has 22 players in his selection mix.
He will take 18 to Europe but just 16 to China, although there is a suggestion from the international federation 18 players might be allowed in the build-up to the Olympics - with two stationed outside the village - before the final cut the day before competition starts.
"Either way, I have some big calls to make," said McLeod on the team's return yesterday. "I will watch club hockey at North Harbour and Auckland this weekend and might call for a game on Monday before selecting the squad for Europe."
He is particularly keen to see Bryce Collins (who has been sidelined for some months with injury), veteran striker Bevan Hari, who played in February's successful Olympic qualifiers but was overlooked for Malaysia, and Richard Petherick in action. Archibald will be named for the European tour which seems set to include matches against Great Britain, Germany, Spain and Argentina along with games against club teams in Holland. But he may miss the first one or two as he continues his recovery after suffering a shoulder injury while training in Ipoh.
"Ryan remained closely involved by doing some analytical work and running while we were there," said McLeod. "But he was unable to do any of the strength work."
McLeod, while heartened with the team's eventual third-place finish, again pointed out the players had undergone a heavy training regime as well.
"On the day we lost to Malaysia, for example, we trained in the morning, played in the afternoon and later had a gym session," said McLeod. "The hard work will obviously pay off and was more important than the results."
In the game against Argentina, the Black Sticks, who could have gone through to the final with a win, claimed nine penalty corners but rather than show their hand with four of the Olympic-bound teams looking on, played them pretty straight but still only lost by a goal.
McLeod was pleased with the step up shown by ace drag-flicker Hayden Shaw who did not have his best tournament at the Olympic qualifiers.
