Shane McLeod must cut his Black Sticks squad to 18 for the three-nation Oceania Cup in Invercargill. Photo / BoP Times
The toll of five matches in eight days became evident as New Zealand held on to beat Malaysia 2-1 in the fifth and final hockey test in Taupo yesterday.
The victory assured the Black Sticks of a 3-0 series win with the other two tests drawn.
"The series answered some
questions for sure," said New Zealand coach Shane McLeod. "It was not easy and the guys are pretty tired...Even so, it will not be an easy call on which players we will now drop out of the squad to prepare for the Oceania Cup."
McLeod used 20 players during the Malaysian series but must cut that to 18 for the three-nation Oceania Cup in Invercargill at the end of the month.
Much will depend on a medical for veteran striker Dave Kosoof. He played yesterday but should he not be declared fit, McLeod seems likely to include Wellington's Joel Baker, who made progress against the Malays.
"We also need to be sure Nick Wilson, who did not play in this last match because of a slight groin strain, will be ready," said McLeod. He did, however, confirm that captain Phil Burrows, who missed a couple of earlier matches with a hamstring strain, will be ready for the matches against Samoa and Australia.
Given a full-strength squad to select from, McLeod would probably opt for a back six of goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex, fullbacks Dean Couzins and Blair Hopping and a half line including brothers Hayden and Brad Shaw on the flanks and Steve Edwards at centre half although he continues to be under some pressure from Casey Henwood and newcomer Arun Panchia.
The remaining spots could be filled by Burrows, Ryan Archibald, Simon Child, Baker and Wilson.
In yesterday's series finale, Hayden Shaw put the Black Sticks ahead with a 20th-minute drag flick from a penalty corner. Burrows doubled the score a few minutes later, and the visitors got one back late in the first half when Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Abdul Jalil scored from the field.
