International hockey returns to the Western Bay with four internationals between the Black Sticks men and Malaysia to be played at Blake Park over five days.
The internationals will be played next Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at the top class hockey turfs at the Tauranga Hockey Centre. New Zealand will then host Korea in four more tests at Lloyd Elsmore Hockey Stadium in Auckland from March 16-20.
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It's the first international action for the Black Sticks men since the Oceania Cup in October, where they finished runners-up behind Australia. The series is important preparation for April's Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia, which New Zealand head into as defending champions.
"Tauranga Hockey are very excited to be hosting the Black Sticks and Malaysia teams. It is a rare opportunity indeed for us to deliver, and for the public to be part of an international test series," Tauranga Hockey Association general manager Mike Kerrisk said. "We are looking forward to hosting the four test series over the five days and we encourage the Tauranga and wider community to turn up in their numbers and support the Black Sticks as they begin their build up to the Rio Olympics later this year."