Veteran striker Bevan Hari is back in the New Zealand men's hockey team named today to tour Europe.
Hari is one of six strikers in an 18-strong squad as coach Shane McLeod continues to test potential combinations ahead of the Olympic Games in Beijing in August.
McLeod is
likely to select five strikers for Beijing, meaning this tour will act as a final trial for all the attackers.
Hari, who has been capped 200 times, was not used in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament in Malaysia this month where New Zealand finished third among seven nations.
School Nick Wilson, 17, impressed enough in Malaysia to suggest he is a genuine contender for a Games spot.
The selection of six strikers has meant only three midfielders have been selected - captain Ryan Archibald, who returns from injury, Ben Collier and Shea McAleese.
Bryce Collins, who is battling an injury, has not reached a sufficient fitness level to make the tour while Lloyd Stephenson has been left out.
Both remain in the frame for Beijing, depending on results and the form of others in Europe.
McLeod has dropped defender Andy Hayward for the tour, meaning slightly less defensive cover.
James Nation remains as the main backup defender to established stars Blair Hopping, Dean Couzins and Brad Shaw.
The battle between Steve Edwards and Casey Henwood for the centre half spot continues with both selected to tour. Edwards also offers cover for wing half.
New Zealand's opening match is Europe is the first of two tests against Germany, in Cologne, on June 10.
More tests follow against Spain, Great Britain and Canada.
NEW ZEALAND:
Ryan Archibald (Rotterdam, Dutch league), Phil Burrows (Rotterdam), Ben Collier (North Harbour), Steve Edwards (North Harbour), Blair Hopping (North Harbour), David Kosoof (North Harbour), Simon Child (Auckland), Dean Couzins (Auckland), James Nation (Auckland), Gareth Brookes (Auckland), Paul Woolford (Auckland), Casey Henwood (Midlands), Bevan Hari (Central), Shea McAleese (Central), Nick Wilson (Central), Kyle Pontifex (Wellington), Hayden Shaw (Canterbury), Brad Shaw (Canterbury).
- NZPA
