Hockey: Black Sticks need to harden up and get edge back, warns Hager

The Black Sticks have some young players in their squad who are getting a chance to show their capabilities ahead of Hager (above) naming his squad for the six-nation tournament.

The Black Sticks need to harden up, according to coach Mark Hager, after their 2-1 loss to Britain in the opening international of their visit to San Diego yesterday.

New Zealand led at the break through a penalty corner goal from midfield dynamo Anita Punt, but they conceded two in the second half.

By Hager's estimation, it was a good first half, poor second.

"We had plenty of opportunities to convert but just weren't clinical enough in the circle," he said. "We're reverting back to leaking goals again. We're not tough or hard enough or treasure the ball. We turned it over too much and you can't do that against good teams."

Hager has 18 players in San Diego; Britain have 32, the hosts 26.

"We are being challenged in that respect. Both other teams can rotate their players but that's life and no excuse. We need to get that winning edge back and the ability to win tight games."

The Black Sticks have some young players in their squad who are getting a chance to show their capabilities ahead of Hager naming his squad for the six-nation tournament in Hawkes Bay in April, which in turn leads on to the World Cup in The Hague at the end of May.

He admitted he was pushing the players hard to see how they reacted to stress situations. In their warmup games, the world No5 team beat Olympic bronze medallists Britain 4-2 but lost 6-1 to the US.

"We got a pantsing," as Punt put it, and there's a desperation to avoid a repeat when they meet the 10th-ranked US this morning. She knows plenty of work lies ahead, but pointed out there's little down time on this trip, which involves two internationals against both nations.

"We're doing extra running and gym sessions and training so we don't have a lot of rest. But that's what we've come away to do, to make us feel uncomfortable and know how to push through those pain barriers."

Young Central striker Michaela Curtis has an adductor strain and is touch and go for the rest of the tour.