Time for N.Z. hockey revival

Press, 21 June 1985, Page 23

Time for N.Z. hockey revival

Back in February at the Australia Games, the New Zealand hockey team hinted that it might be about to reverse the drought of poor results that has besieged it for nearly 10 years. In a three-test series against Australia, New Zealand won the second test, 20, and lost the other two by the same margin. The win was significant though. It was the first time that New Zealand had beaten Australia in 11 matches since the memorable Olympic final in Montreal in 1976, when New Zealand beat Australia, 1-0, to win the gold medal. This week the national selectors, Messrs Trevor Blake (convener), Bob Campbell and Kevin Towns, named a group of 16 players who have been given the task of writing another chapter in the revival of New Zeland hockey over the next four months. Thankfully, the inconsistency of selection that has not helped the New Zealand side develop in the last four years was absent. Mr Blake, who will coach the side on its campaign to Europe in October, and against Japan in two home tests in August, said the

By

KEVIN TUTTY

time for experimentation with players was past. That statement no doubt brought sighs of relief from the incumbents, and sighs of resignation from a group of about eight players who have been in and out of the New Zealand team with unkind haste in the last four years. The team was largely as expected. The omission of Arthur Parkin was a surprise, mainly because the general thought was that the selectors would ignore his indifferent form this season and choose him on his experience. His form in the last month has not been sufficient to warrant that consideration, and the selectors have opted to take younger players. Mark Tynan’s deletion from the squad was unfortunate. Aged 21, he entered the New Zealand team for the Champions’ Trophy at Karachi last December, and was in the team that played in the Australia Games. Full-backs of his age are rare in international hockey, and because he played soundly in those two tourna-

ments it was expected the selectors would retain him. He has the ability to mature into a top-class back. He reads the play well, covers and tackles splendidly, and has the stickwork to extract himself from tight situations. Hopefully his exclusion will not hinder his career too severely. The man included at Tynan’s expense was Dave Petersen, of Auckland. His •promotion was thoroughly

deserved. At the national tournament in Gisboume last year, and in representative matches this season, he has played consistently. He doubtless clinched his place with another solid performance last Sunday against Wellington. He scored two penalty-corner goals which enabled Auckland to come from 0-2 down at half-time to win, 3-2. The New Zealand defence, for so long the Achilles heel of the national team, now has an accomplished look about it, although the centre half position is a continuing problem. Stuart Grimshaw, the incumbent, is living in Melbourne and will not be in New Zealand for the two games against Japan in August. One would have thought it imperative that he be present because of the key role he plays in the team building. If there is a criticism of the team, it is that the selectors have tended to pick players out of position. All of the forwards have played most of their hockey as inside forwards. One of Mr Blake’s complaints about representative hockey this year has been the reluctance of teams to use the full width of the

field. Perhaps when the selectors encourage specialist wings, especially left wings, teams may feel more inclined to attack through those positions. ' The team has an onerous tour ahead, culminating with the inter-Continental Cup in Barcelona. New Zealand has to finish in the top five in that tournament to qualify for the World Cup in London next year. If it plays up to its potential New Zealand could win the tournament. Among its opponents are Argentina, Japan, Malaysia, Poland, South Korea and Spain. Five teams have still to be decided. The team will have buildup games in West Germany, the Netherlands and England before travelling to Spain. In Germany it will play in a four-nation tournament, and in London it will play two tests against England. Its opponents in the Netherlands are not knowfl. Mr Blake’s greatest concern remains an inability by the forwards to score goals. It has been proven in the past that this scourge does not change overnight. He can only hope that the forwards show more hunger for goals in the circle.