Local stars looking to shine for Vantage Black Sticks

Rotorua's Jonty Keaney (right), pictured in action for Auckland, and Leo Mitai-Wells are looking to make a mark for the Vantage Black Sticks Men in the five day series against Pakistan. Photo/Supplied

Two local hockey stars are looking to make their mark for the Vantage Black Sticks Men in the five test series against Pakistan.

Rotorua's Jonty Keaney and Leo Mitai-Wells have been selected in the series that starts tomorrow that will serve as the Black Sticks' first competition for 2017.

Three tests will be played at the National Hockey Stadium in Wellington (March 17, 18, 20) and two games at Trust House Hockey Wairarapa in Clareville (March 22, 23).

Keaney, a former Hamilton Boys High School student, will be making his debut while Mitai-Wells, who attended Western Heights High School, has already represented the Black Sticks in seven tests.

Both have played together in various age group Bay of Plenty representative teams and for the New Zealand and Midlands under-18 and under-21 sides. Keaney has also played for Auckland.

New Vantage Black Sticks Men's head coach Darren has named a young and exciting team to take on Pakistan in the series and Keaney is one of four debutants alongside Mac Wilcox, Nick Elder and Cam Hayde.

Smith said he was looking forward to the series and setting a benchmark ahead of an important year which would see World Cup qualification on the line at the FIH World League semifinals in South Africa.

"This is a very exciting side including some great young talent who have a good opportunity to test themselves against a hard-nosed opponent in Pakistan.

"Pakistan will be a quick and aggressive attacking team so we will need to be on our game and were looking forward to the challenge.

"It's fantastic to be able to once again bring top international hockey to the community and I know Wellington and Wairarapa will be brilliant hosts."

Experienced players Blair Hilton, Hugo Inglis, Jacob Smith, Jared Panchia, Marcus Child, Shea McAleese, Kane Russell, Blair Tarrant and Nic Woods are playing club hockey in Europe and were unavailable for selection while Simon Child, George Muir and Hayden Phillips are sidelined due to injury.

VANTAGE BLACK STICKS MEN vs PAKISTAN - MATCH SCHEDULE

National Hockey Stadium, Wellington
Friday 17th March - Game 1 - 6:30pm
Saturday 18th March - Game 2 - 4:30pm
Monday 20th March - Game 3 - 7:00pm

Trust House Hockey Wairarapa, Clareville
Wednesday 22nd March - Game 4 - 6:30pm
Thursday 23rd March - Game 5 - 6:30pm