With knowledge comes confidence; confidence creates belief which translates into performance and the team has risen from 12th to sixth in the world since 2009.
It has helped that New Zealand play the major nations more often, creating a sense of familiarity. But the players are also better equipped with knowledge about their opposition and what is likely to transpire on the turf.
"He [Hager] is always on our case about looking on YouTube and websites to follow what other teams are doing," says Forgesson. "There is always more you can do."
"I have noticed that the girls don't seem to have a fear of the big teams any more," says Black Sticks men's captain Dean Couzins. "There is a healthy respect, of course, but also a genuine belief that they are beatable."
This focus on their foes has turned the players into students of the game. Forgesson, Kayla Sharland and Katie Glynn can provide expert analysis.
Looking ahead to this week at the Champions Trophy, Hager has mountains of written and audio-visual material as he tries to plot the downfall of Pool B opponents Argentina, South Korea and Germany.
Their poor build-up results have shaken the confidence in the group and cohesion may not come instantly today against Argentina. But the Black Sticks have a handy knowledge of what is coming their way.
Argentina
"With Argentina, it is quite simple," says Hager. "If your corner defence is not up to scratch, then you will get done. That is what killed us in the first [Four Nations and build-up] match - they had five penalty corners and scored from four of them."
Hager adds that the South Americans have more flair than anyone else and players with fantastic individual skills.
"They have the experience of winning the World Cup on home soil and have great depth, even if they are going through a transition phase with the loss of some of their older players."
South Korea
Korea and New Zealand have been involved in some epic battles in recent times and there is no reason to think that tomorrow's clash will be any different.
"Korea are very quick and skilful and do everything at pace - they even seem to speak quickly out there," says Hager. "They don't have the stars of other teams but are a great unit. They are disciplined and have set structures but are still not short on flair."
After what Hager describes as a "horrific" 5-3 loss in the round robin stages of the 2011 Champions Trophy, the Black Sticks rebounded to beat Korea 3-2 in the bronze medal play-off.
"It was a good win but it was not their best team and their match fitness was not at peak," says Hager. "They are a very different proposition this time."
Germany
The final group opponents are the redoubtable Germans. The Black Sticks have never beaten the Europeans in an official international, though they did have a confidence-boosting win in a practice match last year.
"In terms of the positive statistics that matter in a match, we always seem to out-stat them but they beat us," says Hager.
"It has happened in the last four matches. They are very physical and strong, quite big compared to most of our girls and played a very structured, patterned style."
Hager nominates Natascha Keller as the obvious danger; the striker has played more than 400 games for Germany and scored nearly 200 goals.
"She is the key no doubt, though they are a tough side all over," he says.
