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."

An Australian equaliser 17 seconds from the finish deprived the women's Black Sticks of a rousing series-levelling victory in Wellington last night.

Simon Child's playing credentials aren't in doubt; now he gets the chance to show his captaincy skills as the Black Sticks prepare to face Japan next week.

It's a big week ahead for New Zealand's national hockey teams with both in action at home against quality sides.

The USA beat New Zealand 2-0 in their fourth game of the six-test women's hockey series last night at Palmerston North. The win gives the visitors a 2-1 series lead, with two games still to play this weekend in the Wairarapa.

Leilani Fuikefu prefers to let her hockey do the talking. And that hockey could tell a thing or two about a tremendous season for the softly spoken 14-year-old, Year 10 student at Mt Roskill Grammar.

He was known as "the coach who didn't coach", but Ivan Armstrong's unconventional leadership helped mould five Olympic champions.

Player adaptability is becoming a key factor in modern hockey, according to New Zealand women's coach Mark Hager.

Westlake Girls' High School is resigned to its premier team not being able to play a higher standard of hockey in the Super City competition for the full year in 2015 like it did in 2013.

Auckland have a chance to snatch double glory in the National Hockey League finals this afternoon.

Auckland face a rematch of last year's men's final if they are to make the grand showdown at the national hockey league on Sunday.