Hockey: Fine time to spend day lounging in turf heaven

Ireland's Chloe Watkins, and NZ's Charlotte Harrison compete for the ball during their clash at the Festival of Hockey. Photo / Paul Taylor.

The temptation must be to skip classes and lectures or pull a sickie at work to take in an entire day's international women's hockey today.

However, if you get the shakes by the time you roll out of bed this morning then don't despair about what's on offer at the third annual Hawke's Bay Cup.

There's always the opportunity to make a beeline for the Unison Hockey Stadium in Hastings to watch at least half the game between defending champions Australia and the plucky Irish who start at 2.30pm before the main attraction between the Black Sticks and South Korea from 4.45pm.

Aussie coach Adam Commens wasn't entirely thrilled with his women in their 4-0 win over Canada to qualify second in pool A.

The Samantha Charlton-captained New Zealanders are in the hunt for their maiden HB Cup bragging rights in an eight-team tourney that boasts six teams harbouring Rio Olympics podium placings.

If you have a day off or have convinced your parents the school has mufti and are on an outdoor excursion, then it pays to know Japan play India from 10am today and China face the Canadians from 12.15pm.