Hockey: Rain changes little for Black Sticks

Andrew Hayward of New Zealand is challenged by Christopher Wesley of Germany. Photo / Getty Images

The Black Sticks are hoping to make a splash at this week's prestigious Champions Trophy hockey tournament in Auckland but they were saved from making one of a different kind when the second day's play was called off because of a water-logged pitch.

All four games of the top-eight tournament were postponed and will now be played tomorrow, which was originally set aside as a rest day.

It changes little for the New Zealand team, who must still beat Korea tomorrow and the Netherlands on Tuesday to claim a spot in the semifinals, but dampened things even more for a sellout crowd of 3500 and even bigger television audience hoping to see world-class hockey.

Steady rain began falling in Auckland early in the day and left the main pitch waterlogged and unplayable. The Black Sticks had just finished their pre-game lunch at the team's Ellerslie hotel when they were told of the decision.

"It's not a surprise [the games were called off] but something a bit different," Blacks Sticks goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex said. "You get it a fair bit in Malaysia with the rains that kick in every afternoon. You expect it there... not here.

"It's not too bad for us. When you play on a soaked pitch, it's not as attractive hockey. The fast passing and dynamics all slow down because the ball gets bogged down. I would much rather we played some great hockey than forcing through and playing some really negative hockey in bad weather."

Tomorrow's weather forecast is more promising and so are New Zealand's chances against the sixth-ranked Koreans, who opened their Champions Trophy campaign with a 2-0 defeat to the Netherlands yesterday.

The Black Sticks were beaten by Germany 2-1 in their first game but had their chances against the Olympic champions, especially in the first half.

The Germans gained control of the match in the second spell and forced Pontifex to pull off a handful of tidy saves but he could do little about the two goals that came from deflections after the ball was smacked into the circle.

"Everyone is fairly disappointed not only in the result but more how we went about it," the 31-year-old said. "We had a fantastic opportunity to take the Germans but we weren't sharp enough. The two goals we conceded were a bit soft and slack. Everyone is pretty eager and hungry to make amends for that.

"The Koreans are extremely fit and fast but we are right up there with our speed and fitness. Other teams struggle with that but we go pretty well against Korea so that's something in our favour. They also play a very structured game, similar to Germany. One of the gifts of New Zealand hockey players is our flair and skill. We should be able to show a bit of that tomorrow."

Skipper Dean Couzins complained of a side strain after the match with Germany but should be fit to lead the side against Korea.

Tuesday's programme has been amended because of the timing of some games tomorrow.

Order of play:

Monday

10.05am - Great Britain vs Australia

12.05pm - Spain vs Pakistan

4.05pm - Netherlands vs Germany

4.05pm - New Zealand vs Korea

Tuesday

12.05pm - Spain vs Great Britain

4.05pm - Korea vs Germany

4.05pm - Australia vs Pakistan

6.05pm - Netherlands vs New Zealand

-APNZ