Sam Charlton gets chance to stake claim against Japan

A year ago she was the new girl, brought in to get experience with an eye to boosting depth in the Black Sticks squad.
Tonight, in the first of five tests against Japan, recalled hockey midfielder Sam Charlton wants New Zealand women's coach Mark Hager to see her full worth.
Charlton, 19, a former Otumoetai College player, is one of the new faces in Hager's squad.
New Zealand will be missing a trio of experienced players as Krystal Forgesson, Lucy Talbot and Gemma Flynn have returned to the Netherlands to play in the European League.
They will also be without Katie Glynn (quad strain) and Ella Gunson (rolled ankle) for the first two tests, tonight in North Harbour and Hamilton on Sunday.
Charlton, who has transferred her university studies to Auckland from Christchurch (a decision she made before the February 22 earthquake) said she didn't expect to be picked this season to play international hockey after being involved in five tests last season against Australia, India and China.
"I was pretty surprised. I had a bit of a taste and was always hopeful of getting some more games, but last year was a learning experience and showed me I really have to step it up a few levels.
"This time I'm determined to play better hockey, rather than just looking at it as me gaining experience."
Hager gave Charlton a folder-full of pointers, nothing major but plenty of tips to help assimilate her into the Black Sticks environment.
"The feedback was that I did okay but I wasn't at the level I needed to be, which I knew."
Charlton has showed how keen she is to be involved by moving north to Auckland, where the bulk of the Black Sticks squad is based, where she will continue to study towards a Bachelor of Science majoring in psychology.
Hager has three new caps in Petrea Webster, Danielle Jones and Bridget Blackwood, and six other players, including Charlton, who have fewer than 10 caps each.
Ranked ninth in the world, Japan are expected to stretch the New Zealanders, currently ranked seventh. The two teams drew their last meeting at the World Cup in Argentina last year.
"They're a team that's one of our bogey teams, you could say.
"But they're also rebuilding as well, and there's a lot of changes within their group so it should be a fairly even contest throughout the series," Hager said.
Following the Japan series, the Black Sticks tackle world No1 Argentina in three tests in New Zealand before heading to Europe to compete in the Champions Trophy in June.
The women's squad for the Olympics will be named in August.