Nick Wilson is another member of the 'Haarlem Globetrotters'. The 21-year-old forward is also based in Holland and is now accustomed to the regular journeys.
"It can be quite a big ask," says Wilson. "It is pretty tough on the body and also your sleep patterns. We are always in economy class - they always seem to put us together down the back to keep us out of trouble. But in another way we get to see a lot of the world."
Hockey New Zealand likes to maximise the overseas opportunities for the team but it does mean resources are stretched thin . They often pass up hotels for apartments that can sleep up to six and trips across the continent are often 'self drive'.
"We tend to hire a big van," says team manager Kevin Marr. "We are lucky that so many of the guys have been based in Europe that we always find someone who can drive and knows the roads."
In Europe the team are often put up by a local hockey club. The Black Sticks get to use the facilities and might stay in club accommodation, in return for running a couple of coaching clinics for young local players.
"We are always looking for as many contra deals as we can," says Marr. "The clubs are quite good at coming up with some pasta meals as well."
Not required in yesterday's clash with Germany, defender Matt L'Huillier will finally get to play an international in New Zealand this week.
The 24-year-old defender has clocked up 13 appearances for New Zealand - but never on home soil.
"It is one of the realities of our sport," says captain Dean Couzins, who played his 238th match for the Black Sticks yesterday. "We spend a lot of time on the road - it can be hard to manage - especially when you are juggling a full time job - but you become pretty hardy.
"Sometimes you get a bit sick of the airports and living out of suitcases but we have been to some amazing countries. If I jotted it down, it is just crazy. It is still a dream most of the time; you love the sport and most things don't bother you."
Andy Hayward, who has taken on Hayden Shaw's role as the team's drag flick specialist, juggles his hockey career with a full time job at Fonterra. Most of the travel comes via unpaid leave and he uses up annual leave when he can.
"It wasn't a huge attraction [in taking up the sport] but I do enjoy it," says Hayward. "For us it is free to travel around the world and play games. Obviously we don't get to see a lot or do any tourist things but you do get to experience some great places.
"It also means that when you finish playing hockey you know the places in the world you might like to go back to."
India presents trials and tribulations. He talks of the incredible security at airports, then six or seven hours fighting through the New Delhi traffic to crawl 150km.
He particularly enjoyed Salta in Argentina: "It is such a different culture," says Hayward, "especially with people taking siestas and eating near midnight."
