Today's Oceania Cup final is loaded with significance for the men's Black Sticks.

Australia won the early skirmish, but New Zealand's eyes are on the main event at hockey's Oceania Cup.

The New Zealand men's hockey side set off today on the most important tournament since the London Olympics as the Oceania Cup starts in Stratford, Taranaki.

New Zealand's Black Sticks men set off on their most important tournament since the London Olympics.

Uncapped Midlands striker Leo Mitai-Wells is the surprise pick in the New Zealand men's hockey team.

nzherald.co.nz brings live and exclusive streaming of the New Zealand men's hockey team taking on India.

They must win that match in Stratford to qualify for the Rio Games. If not, they face temporary sporting oblivion.

NZ are likely to have a heavier emphasis than usual on goalscoring when they play India in their four-game series starting in Nelson on Tuesday.

New Zealand's hopes of qualifying for the Rio Olympic men's hockey competition hang by a thread.

New Zealand's Rio Olympic hockey hopes are still alive, if not entirely in their own hands, after a shattering loss in Buenos Aires yesterday.

The Black Sticks Men have won the 2015 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in thrilling style with a 3-1 shoot-out victory over Australia.

A Jacob Smith close range deflection three minutes from the finish gave New Zealand a 2-1 win over Japan in Kapiti tonight.

Nick Wilson can rattle the details off in a blink: "Melbourne, December 2012, the Champions Trophy, against England, we won 3-2 in extra-time. I scored two goals."