Hockey: Watch this space

Nick Wilson is enjoying the added responsibility given to him in the Black Sticks. Photo / Getty Images

They call him Space'. It's a good-natured jibe from his team-mates as to what is going on - or not - in hockey striker Nick Wilson's head.

It seems there's a fair bit going on up there and an MRI scan could reveal growing regions of confidence in the Wilson grey matter. The 20-year-old is having to play a more senior role in the Black Sticks - and will do so at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

The team will be lacking two of its three most experienced players in regular skipper Ryan Archibald and Blair Hopping, who have 478 caps between them. That should not prevent them having some clout. Eight centurions remain in the 16-player mix with Wilson also starting to demonstrate his class.

"I was forced to learn quickly when Phil [veteran striker Burrows] got injured at the World Cup in Delhi [in March]. As a result, I've been given a bit more licence in the team over time and have started to score a few goals."

Wilson scored four field goals to top the Kiwi sheets with Simon Child and penalty corner specialist Andy Hayward at the Champions Trophy three weeks ago. He says they need to work harder securing more penalty corners, and corners in general.

"When you get the chance to have a drag flick, it's almost as good as getting a goal; you celebrate knowing there's a chance. We didn't capitalise at times in the Champions Trophy. It will also help that Hayden [Shaw], our drag flick specialist, should be firing in the goals in Delhi now he's over the groin strain he suffered at the start of that tournament.

Coach Shane McLeod says failing to capitalise on penalty corners is a shortcoming to be addressed.

"We struggled getting some awarded because it's such an important part of the game. We were also disappointed facing as many as we did on defence."

The recent performances of the Black Sticks present a conundrum. They finished sixth (and last) at the Champions Trophy in Germany, yet with a win in the final round against England (they lost 4-3), they could have been playing Australia in the final rather than playing Spain for fifth and sixth (they lost 3-2).

That is why the Black Sticks still stand a reasonable chance of medalling at Delhi in October. They also come into the tournament on the back of some vintage form, including their first win over the Netherlands in 34 years.

The New Zealand men have medalled once - a silver at Manchester in 2002 - since hockey became a Commonwealth Games sport in 1998. They should make the podium again, with just Australia (first) and England (fourth) having higher world rankings, although Australia gave them a terrible 9-1 hiding first up in the Champions Trophy.

The Black Sticks miss out on tricky foes such as India (eighth) and Pakistan (ninth) in pool play, instead facing England, Canada, South Africa, and Trinidad and Tobago. They should comfortably account for the latter three, at least on paper.

McLeod, who has been in charge of the team more than three and a half years, knows a medal is needed to justify the considerable Sparc financial backing and to underline that the sixth placing in the Champions Trophy was not a bad result.

"The loss against Australia was a tough introduction to the tournament. We couldn't get into a rhythm under that sort of pressure. We got better as the tournament went on. The guys did a great job of regrouping. It also takes a while to build up a history against established nations, so a victory over Holland was a real boost."

McLeod is not panicking with the gap left by some of his experienced players, acknowledging it as a chance for a succession plan to pick up any slack.

"Missing those players can boost rather than diminish morale. Over the last few years, the likes of Nick [Wilson] have made their mark. Often through necessity, young players make those jumps. He is a fantastic athlete with a strong work ethic. Already there is interest for his talents among European clubs."

McLeod has taken a risk by naming only one goalkeeper for the Games - 111-cap veteran Kyle Pontifex. Teams are allowed only 16 players in their squads rather than the usual 18 for a Champions Trophy or World Cup. The fact goalkeepers rarely get injured means fellow centurion Shea McAleese, who is normally a midfielder, has been asked to strap on the protection gear if Pontifex strikes a Trevor Manning-type spot of trouble.

Manning's in-goal injury for New Zealand is legendary. He had his kneecap shattered by a strike 13 minutes from time in the 1976 Olympic gold medal victory over Australia in Montreal but played on through the dying moments.

Appropriately McAleese's nickname is Buddha - perfect for someone stationing himself in front of the net. His father and brother also performed goalkeeping duties so he feels capable of handling the task.

"I've also been hit in the head a few times with a hockey ball during matches and it hasn't done too much damage," McAleese jokes. "I've coached goalkeeping a lot as well, so I'll be fine.

"I've had a go at it in training, which was quite fun. The boys naturally belted the ball and I tried to get something in the way. I'll do it in Malaysia, [at a camp] prior to the Games to get my eye in as well."

Next to cricket, hockey remains India's most popular sport. The Indian men's team has won eight Olympic gold medals, including six in a row, so there is plenty of interest in how the sport is handled in October.

The Black Sticks experienced some of the passion first-hand when the World Cup doubled as the Games' first test event during March.

Consequently they have been subjected to more security inspections and media attention than most other athletes from other sports.

"We suffered a tough entry. We were effectively guinea pigs, because there were so many unknowns," McLeod says.

"When we were building up to the event in Perth, there was the Al Qaeda threat, so we didn't know what we were getting into. Then we lost Simon [Child] late in the process when he decided not to go. I found the whole situation quite difficult to deal with but it improved as time went on, once we landed.

"Simon had had a lot of hockey and it was strange because we didn't know what to expect. There's also a real presence of security. Everywhere you look, there are guys with guns. That can be tough to deal with for the average New Zealander, who is not always exposed to weapons.

"Simon didn't feel comfortable playing then but he wants to play for his country again now. It has helped that the feedback was positive."

The Black Sticks men head to Malaysia next month to acclimatise for the Games before playing their first match against Trinidad and Tobago on October 5.