Hockey: Black Sticks focus now off the field

Both New Zealand teams are through to the World League finals in Tucuman, Argentina (women, December) and Delhi (men, February). Photo / Getty Images

The focus will be more off field than on playing time for the New Zealand men's squad in the next couple of months.

The Black Sticks are heading home after finishing fourth at the World League tournament in Rotterdam - mirroring the finish of the women's team - and coach Colin Batch, while disappointed with the 4-1 loss to hosts the Netherlands in the third-fourth playoff, saw positives out of the event.

New Zealand now play beaten finalists and world No 2 Australia in the Oceania qualifiers in Stratford in October-November to try to progress to next year's World Cup in The Hague.

They showed plenty of doughty defensive qualities in Rotterdam but Batch is concerned with aspects off the park rather than on it.

"We need to get our strength and conditioning programme nailed down and the players have got good blocks to focus on that," he said. "There's no doubt that because we are a young team developing, our bodies aren't as strong as some other countries so we need to be stronger physically. We've got good young players, they're smart, they're competing well from a technical point of view. But physically we can still make some improvements."

World No 6 New Zealand had drawn 3-3 with the Dutch in pool play, which added to Batch's disappointment at the outcome of Sunday night's decider. A win would have got them to The Hague.

That said, he saw good signs out of the tournament, particularly a resolute defensive operation.

"We've shown that resilience a number of times in matches; it's becoming something of a trademark for us and that's a very good sign," Batch said. "Overall I'm pleased with the progress we've made.

"The players have developed well. The number of field goals we've scored was very pleasing."

World No 9 Belgium caused a boilover in the final.

Having beaten New Zealand in the semifinal, they defeated Australia 7-6 in a penalty shootout after the scores were locked 2-2. It is Belgium's first win at a top-level international tournament.

Both New Zealand teams are through to the World League finals in Tucuman, Argentina (women, December) and Delhi (men, February). The World Cup is where they want to be, which puts the heat on in Stratford in October, where the continental champion will be assured of a spot.