New Zealand pack Champions Challenge squad with experience

New Zealand men’s hockey coach Colin Batch has named a strong side to compete at the 2014 Champions Challenge in Kuantan, Malaysia later this month.
 
The Black Sticks, hosts Malaysia, Korea, Ireland, Japan, Canada, France and Poland will compete in the tournament with the winner guaranteed a place in the 2016 Champions Trophy.

The 18-man team includes plenty of experience with 11 players having amassed more than 100 international caps. The Champions Challenge forms an important part of the Kiwis’ build-up to the 2014 World Cup at thge end of May.

Captain Dean Couzins (currently on 298 caps) is set to become just the second Kiwi following Phil Burrows to play 300 tests for New Zealand.

Batch said the team for this tournament has been selected based on two important outcomes.

“We’ve made our selections with the aim to do well at Champions Challenge, but also with an eye towards finding the best combinations for the World Cup,” Batch said.

“We play Ireland first which will be an extremely difficult game. They’ve shown they can provide shocks so that’s a tough game first up.

“Also Japan, who we have played three times recently, are in our pool along with Poland who are a bit of a surprise package.”

Each team will play the other three sides in their pool before a sudden death crossover quarter final.

Before Champions Challenge, the Black Sticks play Australia in two tests in Perth. The time zone will be the same as Malaysia which will help the team acclimatise ahead of the tournament.

BLACK STICKS MEN
Champions Challenge, Malaysia
April 26 – May 4, 2014