Hockey: Playing for the money and the trophy

Experienced midfielder Kayla Sharland is back leading the squad after missing the Champions Trophy through injury. Photo / Greg Bowker

The World Cup means a lot more than just getting their hands on the trophy for Mark Hager and his women's Black Sticks.

The 18-strong squad flew to Argentina yesterday aware future funding depends on results at the 12-team tournament which starts in Rosario tomorrow week.

"In terms of a fit for the three major tournaments this year, the World Cup is crucial for next year's on-going funding support from Sparc both in terms of the team and the players individually," said Hager who has his sights set on a medal at October's Commonwealth Games.

" We probably need to finish in the top eight at least. I think that is realistic if we play well. Importantly, we need to start well as it will be very difficult to chase points in must-win games at the back end of the tournament."

While New Zealand, ranked seventh on the latest FIH list, are in a tough pool - grouped with world No 1 Netherlands, Germany (4), Australia (5), Japan (9) and India (13), Hager sees this as perhaps being in the Black Sticks favour.

"The good thing about our pool is that every team is capable of knocking each other off," said Hager. "While Holland might have the ability to go through unbeaten - which could suit us - there is a real opportunity for us to finish in the top three which would guarantee a top six finish overall.

"I feel nine points should be good enough to achieve that. But, there are not going to be any easy games. Holland, Germany and Australia are world class and we have seen how much Japan have improved. Even India will be a real test as they continue to get better and will be wanting a good result here before playing at home in the Commonwealth Games.

"I know it is an old cliché, but we have to take it game by game."

Hager is happy to have experienced midfielder Kayla Sharland back to lead the team after she missed the Champions Trophy through injury.

"Her experience and the stability she brings give us a good balance but having said that we are still well down on experience when compared with other teams. In terms on international caps, Germany have three players with over 200 and a lot over 100. We have just Sharland, Emily Naylor and Stacey Carr over 100.

Hager is looking forward to a rematch with the Germans in their opening match.

"At the Champions Trophy they were the better side. We were soft in that game and conceded some soft goals. They have a lot more older players than us and with Kayla back I feel we will be much better this time round."

Anna Thorpe, one of a number of Northland players in the squad, flew out with the team after passing a fitness test on Wednesday night after being hampered by an ankle injury and then a torn quad muscle.

While Hager has already had to omit goalkeeper Bianca Russell and striker Piki Hamahona from his Commonwealth Games line-up - he had to drop two of the World Cup squad to meet the 16-player requirement for New Delhi - he said the pair will still be considered for action at the World Cup.

He hinted he might be tempted to play Russell in at least one game because of her improved ability in defending penalty corners. First choice goalkeeper Beth Jurgeleit, 30, will hope that is not the case as she needs to play six games in Rosario to notch her 100th cap.

Auckland striker Krystal Forgesson, 27, is sitting on 98 and seems certain to reach the ton second-up against the Dutch. Hager said he will have a firm starting X1 in his mind after warm-up matches against South Korea and Spain.

And his pick as tournament winner? "Probably Argentina at home over Holland than you can throw a blanket over Germany, China, Australia and England." And, he hopes, New Zealand.

Black Sticks at World Cup
Rosario, Argentina, August 29-September 14

New Zealand matches (with TV details in brackets).
* August 31: v Germany (8am live SS1)
* September 2: v Netherlands (8am live SS1)
* September 4: v Japan (10.30am live SS1)
* September 6: v Australia (10.30am live SS3)
* September 8: v India (8am live SS1)
* September 10-12: Play-offs (details tba)

Black Sticks
* Goalkeepers: Beth Jurgeleit, Bianca Russell.
* Defenders: Clarissa Eshuis, Natasha Fitzsimons, Emily Naylor, Lucy Talbot.
* Midfielders: Stacey Carr, Gemma Flynn, Ella Gunson, Sam Harrison, Stacey Michelsen, Anita Punt, Kayla Sharland (c), Anna Thorpe
* Strikers: Krystal Forgesson, Katie Glynn, Charlotte Harrison, Piki Hamahona.