Hockey: Midlands coach looks abroad for firepower

Midlands coach Darren Smith has left nothing to chance heading into today's opening round of the national hockey league.

Buoyed by their breakthrough triumph last season, Smith has called in former, and vastly experienced, international Dion Gosling as his assistant coach.

Unlike most coaches this season, Smith has gone to the international market to recruit guest players, bringing in former Australian Bevan George who, like Smith, played more than 200 internationals, to bolster his defence, while up front Malaysian striker Selvaraju Sandrakasi is expected to provide the scoring firepower.

With Black Sticks Stephen Graham (goalkeeper), Richard Petherick and Casey Henwood also in the squad, Smith has a team capable of repeating last year's success.

They will get an early line on their form when they play Auckland in a replay of last year's final in this afternoon's clash in Hamilton.

Auckland, now coached by Hemant Lala, will need strong showings from Black Sticks Simon Child, James Nation and Arun Panchia if they are to again be competitive.

North Harbour, too, have a new coach in South African Greg Fritelli. He has talent to burn but must get them playing as a team if they are to add a fourth title to their already impressive haul.

Unlike last season when Trinidadian Kwan Brown played a key role, Harbour have gone without imports this time.

Stacked with Black Sticks, including Blair Hopping, Dave Kosoof,Steve Edwards and Nick Wilson,and with a number of Junior Black Sticks to bolster their squad, North Harbour, with Bryce Collins as assistant coach, are capable of doing better than last year's third place.

It is difficult to see the top three from last season seriously challenged although Canterbury, with nine new players in their squad, might be a threat.

Much will depend on Hayden Shaw, who returns to the team after playing in Europe last season.

Auckland, pipped by North Harbour in last year's women's final, shape as the team to beat as they chase a third title but their first since 2001.

Coach Jay Punga, with former Black Sticks goalkeeper Paul Woolford as his assistant, has talent aplentywith a good mix of senior andjunior internationals. He has also gone to the guest market in bringing in Australian Jamie Hedge to join established starts including Katie Glynn, Honor Dillon, Krystal Forgesson, Jan Rowsell, Sam Harrison and Lucy Talbot.

Rex Smith is back with his victorious North Harbour team, who have won twice in the past three years.

He has stuck with local players but has eight Junior Black Sticks and three full internationals in his squad.

Their first-up clash with Northland in Whangarei this afternoon promises to be a good indicator for both teams, given they finished first and fourth last season. Northland has long produced some of the best young players and with Ella Gunson, Charlotte Harrison and Anna Thorpe to bolster their ranks, coach Grant McLeod will be looking for at least another top four effort.

Canterbury and Wellington, who had only Southern below them last season, will be looking to a return to their glory days but might find the youngsters from the north too good.

After opening round matches at four venues this weekend, the remaining rounds will be played in Christchurch from September 19 with the finals on September 27.

FIRST ROUND DRAW

Today

* All 1pm (women) 3pm (men)
* Northland v North Harbour, Whangarei
* Midlands v Auckland, Hamilton
* Central v Wellington, Palmerston North

Tomorrow

* 11am (women) 1pm (men)
* Southern v Canterbury, Dunedin
* All remaining matches, Christchurch, September 19-27