After-work games against Australian Country

Northland play the Australian Country team at the Whangarei Hockey Centre on Wednesday.

Punters wanting to check out some international hockey should go to the ITM Hockey Centre tomorrow after work.

The Northland women and Northland men's teams will play the Australian Country side, fresh after taking part in the Festival of Hockey.

The women's side will kick off proceedings at 6pm, followed by the men at 7.45pm.

Hockey Northland's Bevan Gibbs said the match would be played on the Real Deal Tyres Turf so viewing would be good. "It's a good opportunity for both Northland men and women to have a game early on in their season, especially the women.

"It is a great time for the after workers and parents with kids. It'll be a good standard of hockey.

"The Australians have come off a tournament so they'll have a major advantage to our two teams. It's a good opportunity for the players who are early in their representative career, an opportunity for some of those younger players to push for NHL selection.

"I think one of the good things with the selection is there's some players who haven't played or are coming back after time away."

Gibbs said the Australian Country side had wanted to extend their time in New Zealand by doing a northern tour.

Northland v Australia: Real Deal Tyres Turf, tomorrow. Women 6pm; Men 7.45pm.