Hockey: Shaw gives test career the flick in style

Hayden Shaw. Photo / APN

Hayden Shaw brought the curtain down on one of the most successful careers in New Zealand hockey in style yesterday.

Minutes before telling his Black Sticks teammates of his decision he was quitting the international arena, Shaw whipped home his 130th goal - in 177 matches - to earn New Zealand a 3-3 draw with Korea, thus ensuring the home team of a come-from-behind series win.

Yesterday's draw followed Saturday's similar fightback when the Black Sticks got up 2-1 in the fourth test with a late Marcus Child goal to give them a 2-1 series lead with yesterday's final game to play.

It is not the first time Shaw's heroics have played a vital part in success for the national side.

Coming into the team to play Malaysia in 2002 with the Black Sticks ranked 16th in the world, Shaw's drag-flicking prowess quickly turned their fortunes around. Of his 130 goals only one, against Papua New Guinea, came from the field.

At the 2004 Athens Olympics Shaw stepped forward to convert a last-ditch penalty corner for a 2-1 win over India, which guaranteed them the 5th-6th play-off spot. That subsequently led to New Zealand rising to 6th in the world rankings - a 10-spot improvement in just two years.

"That was probably the most crucial goal I scored for the Black Sticks," said Shaw, 30, after yesterday's game in Tauranga. "I have had a good innings but I have been thinking about this [retirement] for some time.

"I wanted to play the best I could in this series and hopefully help us get a win. Once the game was over and I had had my chance to play the whole game out I wanted to tell the boys on the field. I wanted to do it face to face rather than by email.

"I will still play club hockey for Selwyn and for Canterbury but the time and financial commitments are too great now," said Shaw, who is teaching at South New Brighton School. "It is hard when you keep coming home [from training] and your baby is already in bed."

New Zealand coach Shane McLeod was pleased with the way his team fought back to both draw the series finale and win overall.

"It was an even game today, and Korea once again showed their impressive ability to score off penalty corners which meant we had to be tight on defence," said McLeod.

"A series win against a top six nation is always really commendable."