In a three-match test against New Zealand in Hobart, the Kookaburras have shown their world class calibre to take home the Oceania Cup and maintain the world number one ranking. The Australian men improved as the tournament went on, collecting the Cup with an emphatic 6-1 victory in the final match.

The female Hockeyroos opened their campaign with a gutsy 2-1 win over an experienced New Zealand outfit and endured a 3-3 draw in their second hit-out before fading in their final match. The Kiwis’ 4-2 victory in the decider gave them a better aggregate and the Oceania Cup title.

Overall, the London Olympic outlook is good according to coaches Ric Charlesworth and Adam Commens.

The Kookaburras entered the tournament ranked number one but had a lackadaisical start to the competition, beaten 3-0 in the opening game by a country that had not beaten Australia in 13 years.  When the final siren sounded in the second match with scores level at 3-3, the Australians were in danger of losing the Cup and their number one ranking unless they won the decider by more than 3 goals.

Coach Ric Charlesworth had his work cut out for him. His side had led on several occasions but failed to deliver the knockout blow in the second game.

“We are playing against a quality opposition and we are below par at the moment,” Charlesworth had said.

“We gave away a couple of soft goals and we need to finish better...  We were in a position to win the match but simply were not good enough to do so.”

Under pressure in the decider the Kookaburras rediscovered their regular intensity and purpose. They secured the Cup and added a few extra goals to sail home 6-1.

Nonetheless, the slick New Zealand outfit provided a welcome wake-up call for Charlesworth’s Kookaburras on the road to London.

“I think we have had a significant dip in form over the last few months and hopefully the players have been reminded about how much work there is to be done”, Charlesworth said.

“That said, we have also shown what we can do when we play at our best.”

Women’s coach Adam Commens also saw the silver lining after his side’s narrow series loss.
While New Zealand boasted an experienced outfit, youngsters like 19-year-olds Emily Smith and Georgia Nanscawen impressed in the midfield.

"We've unearthed a couple of young, talented players who are having an impact in big games," Commens said.

"There's some really positive signs. If you have a look at our penalty corner attack, we're scoring against one of the best defensive units in the world."

Due to the withdrawal of Fiji from the Oceania Cup, Australia’s hockey teams have both qualified for the London Olympics.

AOC