Hockey: Black Sticks win in Paris

Hayden Shaw. Photo / Hawkes Bay Today

The New Zealand men's hockey team have beaten France 4-2 in the first of three internationals in Paris.

Black Sticks coach Shane McLeod said the team were tentative in the first half today but performed better after the break.

"We had a slow start, as the guys got used to the turf and the opposition," he said.

"It wasn't until the second half the team asserted their dominance."

Dean Couzins and Blair Hopping had good games in defence, while Andy Hayward and Hayden Shaw scored two goals each, all from penalty corners.

The team play France again tomorrow and on Tuesday before travelling to Monchengladbach, Germany, for the elite Champions Trophy tournament which starts on July 31.

Result: New Zealand 4 (Andy Hayward 2, Hayden Shaw 2) France 2.

- NZPA