KEY POINTS:
Is there is something about the number 15? Fullbacks, the last line of defence on the rugby field, wear it. Now 15 is starting to have the same significance in hockey.
When Stephen Graham, 21, walks into the cage for his international debut at Blake Park tonight, he
will join Scott Anderson and Michael Bevin as New Zealand goalkeepers to sport No 15.
"If I can be as good as them, I'll be happy," said Graham.
It will be a massive test for Tauranga-born Graham, who debuts in the series decider against the Dutch on his home turf. It's rare for someone his age to be handed such responsibility. Coach Shane McLeod has no qualms.
"I'm confident he can do the job. As long as he gets to grips with the game, he will be fine.
"He has worked hard. He has got quicker and has very good reflexes," said McLeod. "To give a young guy like him experience like this will keep him keen and interested."
It promises to be a baptism of fire but Graham, who admits to be from the goalkeeping class of introverts, is determined to make the most of his unexpected chance. With Paul Woolford taking time out and by-passing this month's trials, Graham and Kyle Pontifex were the only goalkeepers on show, and Graham set out to prove himself in three trial matches.
"I just needed to prove myself."
He did that and then sat down with McLeod to plan the next move.
"He put the ball in my court. I said I would prefer to sit out the early tests to see what the Dutch were like. Now I have been handed a dream debut on my home turf."
It will be even more special as long-time friends and teammates Jan Petersen and Andy Hayward, debutants in the first test at Lloyd Elsmore Park on Sunday, are to play part of tonight's game.
Life and hockey have gone the full circle for Graham. After an early intro to mini-hockey, he continued playing in the field.
Then, fearing he might miss selection for the Pandas - the Tauranga standard 3/4 representative team - he pulled on the pads and gloves and has worn them since.
He played through the age groups for Tauranga and Midlands and, more recently, with Central as he juggles his hockey with studies at Massey University in Palmerston North, where he is will do the final year of a bachelor of education.
He was in the Tauranga team who won the Hatch Cup in 1998 (with Hayward), and went on to represent New Zealand at under-18 level in Australia and against Australia in Wellington at the Junior World Cup (under-21) in 2004.
That team also included current Black Caps teammates Ben Collier, Petersen, Hayward and Simon Child.
With help from North Harbour goalkeeper Julian Depana and others, and a self-imposed fitness/training regime, Graham is giving himself every chance in a role which, at times, can be pretty lonely.
He will feel anything but that tonight with mother, father, brother Tim (also a goalkeeper), grandparents, other relatives and friends among the big crowd expected at the Tauranga Hockey Centre.
"I have all the incentive I need," said Graham. "Especially as mum's side of the family is Dutch."
Hopefully, he says, there will be no treat for them.
The CV
Stephen Graham
Born: June 20, 1985, Tauranga.
Education: Otumoetai Primary, Tauranga Boys College, Massey University.
Representative: Tauranga (Hatch Cup, under-15, under-18), Midlands, Central (under-21), Central (NHL).
International: NZ under-18 (2003), NZ under-21 (2004). Black Sticks, debut pending (tonight).
What: NZ v Netherlands, 3rd test.
Where: Tauranga Hockey Centre, Blake Park, Mt Maunganui.
When: Tonight 7pm.
