Hockey: Six debutants in Black Sticks

Goalkeeper Richard Joyce. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Six debutants will make their debut for the men's Black Sticks in next week's four-test series against Japan in Wellington and Kapiti.

Canterbury striker Richard Bain, defenders Dane Lett (Capital) and Dwayne Rowsell (Auckland), Midlands midfielder Nic Woods and goalkeepers George Enersen (Canterbury) and Richard Joyce (North Harbour) will all suit up for their first ever taste of action for the Black Sticks.

The series runs from November 18-22 with two games at the National Hockey Stadium in Newtown, and a further two internationals at Coastlands Kapiti Sports Turf in Paraparaumu.

Balancing out the young talent are experienced campaigners Simon Child, Steve Edwards, Nick Haig, Arun Panchia and Blair Tarrant who have all played more than 100 tests for New Zealand.

"It's always exciting when players debut - six is a large number at once, but this selection is reflective of our need to create more depth in the squad," said Batch.

Following the retirement of veteran Dean Couzins, Batch will be rotating captains during the upcoming Wellington and South Island series and has announced that explosive striker Child will captain the side in Wellington and Kapiti.

During the same week the women's Black Sticks will play against transtasman rivals Australia in three tests in Wellington, on Saturday, Sunday and next Tuesday.

New Zealand squad to play Japan: Richard Bain, George Enersen, Nick Haig (Canterbury), Simon Child (c), Marcus Child, Arun Panchia, Dwayne Rowsell (Auckland), Joe Bartholomew, Cory Bennett, James Coughlan, Steve Edwards, Richard Joyce, George Muir (North Harbour), Dane Lett, Jacob Smith (Capital), Shay Neal (Northland), Nick Ross, Kane Russell, Blair Tarrant (Southern), Nic Woods (Midlands).