By KRISTIN EDGE
Get Di Weavers talking about her hockey addiction and she's like an effervescent wine.
The 31-year-old bubbles away, her enthusiasm seemingly endless.
Weaver's zest for the stick-and-ball game is amazing, given she has played internationally for 11 years in a career that includes two Olympic Games, three Commonwealth Games - including bronze in Kuala Lumpur - two World Cups, four Champions Trophy tournaments and a treasured bronze medal.
"I just love playing hockey. Ever since I was little I have always loved hockey. I think it's the challenge of always wanting to be better and obviously to get a medal," Weavers said.
"It's like a challenge.
"You have the opportunity to be the best team in the world and play against the best people in the world and it's that challenge of being the best in your sport."
Weavers oozes hockey passion. "There is always something you can do to be better ... you can be fitter, stronger.
"You want to be able to drag-flick the ball, you want to hit the ball flat. You have all your own stuff to get right and you have to mould together as a team as well."
Weavers draws breath.
"It's a huge challenge. It's addictive."
But just quietly, Weavers reckons it might be time do do something about her addiction.
"I'll make a decision when I get home from Rome. It's hard when you love the game but there comes a point where you want to do other things.
"Like being at home sometimes, spending time with Bryan [her partner] and friends and doing things most people take for granted."
Weavers doesn't planned on being in Spain for September's World Cup if New Zealand qualifies next week in Rome.
But you can bet that won't affect the effort she puts into the games during the qualifying tournament.
"At this stage I'm looking like I will finish after Rome but I'm not worrying about it until after this tournament. I want to play Rome as if I am going to Spain ... you need to have that incentive.
"The older you get the harder it gets, because you want to win, and the more pressure you put on yourself to perform and the team to perform.
"I handle the pressure before games better than I used to but I still get really intense."
Solely on rankings New Zealand should bolt into the World Cup. They are sixth in the world and grouped with Korea (No 7), United States (12), Ireland (13), Azerbaijan (19) and Italy (20).
They have avoided the tougher pool A, which comprises three teams in the top 10 - China (5), Japan (8) and England (9) - along with Ukraine (15), Scotland (17) and France (21).
Weavers was dubbed "splinter bum" early in her career because she spent so much time warming the reserves' bench. But she's been around so long now her teammates call her "Di-nana".
"I probably enjoy playing more now than when I was younger. I was shy and lacked in confidence. I was a bit scared out there.
"As a senior player now I just try and say to the younger players "don't be scared, get out there and get stuck in."
For the lanky stickwoman making the Melbourne Commonwealth Games - and now the team jetting their way to the World Cup qualifier - is amazing.
After Athens Olympics a niggling hip injury just about ended Weavers' career.
"When I was injured I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel. I just thought to be a normal person that could walk down the street and go for a jog, let alone play hockey, would be great.
"At some stages I didn't think I would get to Melbourne. Touch wood, it's been really good and I got through the Games fine. I have to be careful with training I can't go for long runs."
You can't help but get the feeling that this veteran of 170 internationals will transfer her gusto for sport into any new addictions she chooses.
In Weavers' words: "There will always be another challenge around the corner - if it's not hockey it will be something else."
Weavers weighs retirement plans
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