KEY POINTS:
A disappointing 2-2 draw against Japan in Gifu left Black Sticks coach Shane McLeod shaking his head as the preparation for next month's vital Oceania Olympic qualifiers continues.
After winning the first test 3-0, McLeod was hoping to use the other four internationals against the 11th-ranked Japanese with
a specific game plan aimed at the matches against Australia.
"I was disappointed not so much with the result but with the way we played," said McLeod, in preparing for last night's third test. "We did not play well and any hope I had of doing things directly planned for Australia was lost."
Against the run of play, goals to Phil Burrows and Jan Peterson gave world No 9 New Zealand a surprise 2-0 halftime lead. That was cut to a goal early in the second spell with a well-taken Japanese field goal.
After another period of uncertainty, New Zealand played their best hockey in the last 20 minutes but during that time conceded the equaliser when the home side converted a 66th minute penalty corner.
"Collectively, we lost concentration in key areas at key times," said McLeod. "As central defenders, Blair Hopping and Dean Couzins probably didn't commit themselves enough. At right half Hayden Shaw and Steve Edwards played quite well, but we again struggled at centre-half where Casey Henwood did not have such a good game.
"We are going to give James Nation a decent crack at centre-half in the remaining games and share that responsibility with Ben Collier."
McLeod said the draw brought obvious delight to the Japanese, who lost 4-0 to New Zealand at the June-July Champions Challenge in Belgium.
"For me it was hugely disappointing. The players know my disappointment."
After being able to use and rotate his full squad of 18 players in the first two matches, McLeod will revert to the usual 16-player roster for the remaining games with the aim of putting out his best XI in Saturday's final test in Oyabe - and the line-up almost certain to start against Australia at the Oceania tournament at Buderim on the Sunshine Coast..
McLeod's biggest call will be deciding between Kyle Pontifex and Paul Woolford as his goalkeeper. "They have both played well with no goalkeeping errors," said McLeod. "In terms of head-to-head, it will be the toughest call."
Captain Ryan Archibald is picking up his workload match by match and while still short of his best, McLeod is confident he will be ready to play a full game in the tour finale.
"Ryan is still a little hesitant and not yet as potent as he was in Belgium," said McLeod. "But he is getting through the 40-45 minutes we are giving him."
Midfielder Bryce Collins missed last night's game after being hit on the knee. McLeod said the rest of the players were under consideration.