Hockey: Hectic phase begins

By Terry Maddaford

A whistle-stop tour to Argentina - six games in 10 days - promises a demanding test for both the New Zealand women's hockey team and new coach Jan Borren.

The 16-strong squad left Auckland last night and will play the first of two warm-up games, against Argentina B, tomorrow. They play Argentina A on Thursday before the first of their tri-series games on Saturday.

They will play Germany and Argentina on the first two days of the tournament, then have a three-day break before meeting the same two sides again next Thursday and Friday.

"It will be very intensive but that's what I'm looking for at this stage," said Borren. "We have quite a substantial international programme this year and next in the build-up to the Olympics. Games like we can expect on this tour will be a good opportunity for players to put their hands up.

"The 16 players I have selected for this tour have come from the 25 named by the selectors after last year's national championships. Given the time I have had in the job, I was not in a position to go outside that group in naming the side.

"But when I get back and have the chance to see the players in the new national league I will be in a better position to assess them all," said Borren, whose previous coaching experience has been more with men's teams.

"We go into the tri-series against two of the best teams in the world with high expectations. Deservedly so.

"With the change of coach I'm sure there will be some different emphases than in the past - more fine-tuning I suppose, building on the base which has produced some good results recently."

With the retirement of Tina Bell-Kake, Borren will take particular interest in his inside forwards.

"I'm almost certain to switch Anna Lawrence to inside-right and look carefully for another top class inside-forward - more particularly at inside-left," Borren said. "Kate Trolove and Suzie Pearce are two who spring to mind."

There will be some pressure on goalkeepers Anne-Marie Irving and Karen Smith, who have won places in the touring squad ahead of Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Helen Clarke.

"We are giving them the opportunity to be considered at this level. It will be up to Helen Clarke to force her way back if she wants to play in the Champion's Trophy later in the year."

New Zealand: Sandy Bennett, Toni Mason, Mandy Smith, Lisa Walton (Auckland), Jenny Duck, Emily Gillam, Anne-Marie Irving, Anna Lawrence (captain), Megan MacKay, Karen Mee, Kate Trolove (Canterbury), Robyn Matthews (Wanganui), Skippy McGregor, Moira Senior (Manawatu), Suzie Pearce (Wellington), Karen Smith (Otago).

Pictured: Anna Lawrence