Douglas returns to national team against old rivals

After a two-year absence from  international hockey, Northland midfielder Laura Douglas will be back in black to play Australia in February.
The 27-year-old, who has eight caps to her name and last played for the Black Sticks in 2007, was recalled into the 25-strong Kiwi squad named in October, and was included in the 18 to play four matches against the Aussies in Perth from February 7-18.
"I was pretty pleased when I heard the news. I had a feeling Mark [Hager] would give us new ones a chance - it will be a good experience," she said.
Also named in the 18 were fellow Northland representatives Ella Gunson, Sam Harrison, Anna Thorpe, Charlotte Harrison, Jasmin McQuinn and Stacey Michelsen.

"It will be cool to play with all those girls from Northland - there's a few of us there," Douglas said.

The series will be the first internationals for the Black Sticks since the side won the Champions Challenge in South Africa earlier this year, where the women set themselves up for an intensive schedule in 2010. Following the series against Australia, the team will begin preparing for July's Champions Trophy in Nottingham, the World Cup in Argentina during September and the New Delhi Commonwealth Games in October.
Playing in the sweltering temperatures of the Perth summer would help get the women used to competing in the heat, ahead of the  Commonwealth Games campaign in India where it will be just as hot, Douglas said.
While she had had just two training sessions with the entire squad to date, she said there was a positive vibe about it, with plenty of healthy competition between the girls for places.
Northland Hockey chief executive officer Grant McLeod said Douglas' inclusion was a great achievement after two years off the international scene.
"The Australian series is a chance for Laura to make her presence felt in the team. After a two-year break, the dynamics in the team have changed a great deal - when Laura first got into the team she was one of the only young ones, but it is a very young team now," he said.
Her recall into the team was also an opportunity for Douglas to get to know Hager, who took over from Kevin Towns after a dismal 2008 Olympic campaign.
"Dare I say it, but Hager has a sort of rotation policy in place. We have to try these guys out to see they can cope at international level. My understanding is his intention is to play all the members in the squad of 25 throughout next year leading up to the World Cup in September. When push comes to shove seven players aren't going to make it ... I hope the girls all play well so we can continue having that many from up here
in the team."
Also included in the Black Sticks to play Australia  were two new caps, North Harbour defender Natasha Fitzsimons and Midlands's striker Cathryn Finlayson.
North Harbour keeper Sally Rutherford, who played one match for New Zealand this year, has also been named for the series, along with four experienced players Krystal Forgesson, Kate Mahon, Kate Saunders and Beth Jurgeleit.
Piki Hamahona is unavailable due to work commitments, Stacey Carr is recovering from a knee injury incurred during the 2009 National Hockey League and Anita Punt has had hip surgery.
The group will regather on January 9 in Auckland to prepare.
 The  team: Kayla Sharland, Emily Naylor, Katie Glynn, Sally Rutherford, Ella Gunson, Clarissa Eshuis, Lucy Talbot, Stacey Brannigan,
Sam Harrison, Gemma Flynn, Anna Thorpe, Charlotte Harrison, Jasmin McQuinn, Bianca Russell, Stacey Michelsen, Natasha Fitzsimons, Laura Douglas, Cathryn Finlayson.