That Dwyer and his great Dutch rival Teun de Nooijer are playing only emphasises the esteem with which this tournament is held. Arguably the best two players in the world, they will again go head-to-head but possibly not until the final, in a tournament which will again showcase the best the sport has to offer.
De Nooijer, who, somewhat ironically played the first of his 439 internationals against New Zealand in 1994, has three times been acclaimed as the World Player of the Year, has won Olympic gold twice, been in the winning Dutch side at the World Cup, Champions Trophy (four times) and the European Championship.
Dwyer and his team have quickly settled in Auckland. Based close to the stadium thereby avoiding Auckland traffic, Dwyer said he has felt at home.
"There is a really good homely feel about it," said Dwyer. "An environment like this where the crowd is close to the turf is great. Hopefully we can play up to our expectations."
Of the upsurge in New Zealand hockey - driven in no small part by the increasing input from Australian coaches, administrators and players who have guested in NHL teams - Dwyer said that "Aussie influence" is maybe what the sport needed.
"We don't need European coaches who would only try to go away from the way we play in Australia and New Zealand. When we last played New Zealand in Hobart I could see a definite lift in the way they played. They have developed into a very experienced and capable team.
"New Zealand have shown they are worthy of their place in the world rankings," said Dwyer. "They haven't been disgraced at all and across the field have some good players."
Like many top players, Dwyer is often questioned about his future especially with the London Olympics now less than a year away.
"I'm not looking beyond the Olympics at this stage but I will see how my body is standing up before making any decisions."
Originally from Rockhampton, in Queensland, Dwyer now bases himself in Perth - the home of the Australian Institute of Sport's hockey programme - which tends to suggest Dwyer will be around for a while yet.
He has already decided against a return to Europe to play club hockey next year preferring to spend family time in Perth with his wife and two sons.
"I have been on the international scene since 2004. I have been lucky enough to be part of a team who have won everything," said Dwyer who, for many years, has captained the team as part of their leadership group.
A fan of the new rules, especially the ability to self-pass, Dwyer says as long as the umpires "blow it right" the game is more open and attractive to watch.
Asked whether as a player whose reputation obviously goes before him, he comes in for added "treatment", Dwyer said he did not feel any added pressure apart from being marked closer but, "I don't play hockey for myself. It is a team game and I'm part of that."
Yet, for all the accolades, Dwyer instantly nominates de Nooijer as the best he has seen.
"He has been so professional. He makes it look so easy."
So does Jamie Dwyer.
JAMIE DWYER
Born: March 12,1979, Rockhampton
Gold medals:
Olympics: 2004
World Cup: 2010
Champions Trophy: 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010
Commonwealth Games: 2006, 2010
FIH Player of Year: 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010
