Hockey: Black Sticks attacker to lead up front as Child named captain

New Zealand's Simon Child. Photo / Greg Bowker.

Simon Child's playing credentials aren't in doubt; now he gets the chance to show his captaincy skills as the Black Sticks prepare to face Japan next week.

The two national teams are in the same leadership boat.

Both Dean Couzins and Kayla Whitelock, long-term and respected leaders of the teams, have gone - Couzins retired after this year's Commonwealth Games, and Whitelock is taking time out from the game to start a family but is eyeing a possible return in time for the Rio Olympics in 2016.

The Black Sticks women's coach, Mark Hager, has talked of a shared responsibility plan featuring players like Anita Punt, Sam Charlton and Stacey Michelsen for their upcoming assignments, starting against Australia in Wellington today.

A similar situation is likely to apply with the men.

In the case of Child, New Zealand's best player and among the finest attackers in the game, there are no guarantees for the future.

The likelihood is that coach Colin Batch will give other influential figures, such as Nick Haig and Arun Panchia, their chance in the months ahead.

However Child, 26, and with 212 international appearances, is relishing the prospect. In a sense it's a logical next step for someone who made his debut nine years ago.

"I think I've had enough experience to get a really clear understanding of what's happening in the game," he said.

Child will lead from an attacking role up the park.

Hockey is similar to football in one respect - captains tend to come from the defensive end or in the hurly-burly of the midfield.

Conventional wisdom says defenders have a better perspective looking forward at the action unfolding; midfielders are stuck in the heart of the game and can get a sense of trends in the game.

However Child is confident his playing role won't hinder his ability to do the job. He knows he has good eyes further back in the park, such as Haig, Panchia and Steve Edwards.

"It is a little more challenging to organise and direct from up front but I certainly think we've got the players in the team who will bring leadership in midfield and defensive roles," he said.

Child is no stranger to captaincy.

He led the Junior Black Sticks to the semifinals of their World Cup five years ago. That squad included a host of players who have now graduated to the senior national team such as goalkeeper Devon Manchester, Hugo Inglis, Blair Hilton, Stephen Jenness, Panchia, Shay Neal, Alex Shaw and Blair Tarrant.

They know his voice and his likely approach to captaincy.

With Couzins gone and overseas-based players like Phil Burrows, Shea McAleese and Andy Hayward missing for now, Child believes it's a chance for the next group of players to make significant leadership contributions.

Child expects world No14 Japan to be fast and fit.

"There's quite a lot of money in their programme as they're preparing for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, and certainly they're a team on the build and one to watch."

World No 6 New Zealand won two and drew one international against them in March in Tauranga.