Hockey: There's a chance - and a challenge

Hamish Baron has hockey on his mind this weekend, but he'll also be keen to check out Auckland's national championship rugby clash with Waikato tomorrow night.

The talented young Auckland attacker's best mates include Lachie Munro, who makes his debut in Auckland's starting XV. But Munro played plenty of hockey in his formative years alongside Baron.

"He's always been incredibly talented. He's a very good hockey player," Baron said.

But Baron's first order of business this weekend is helping Auckland get off to a flying start in the national league.

The runners-up last season play Southern tomorrow, then the first crunch game of the competition against rivals North Harbour on Sunday.

With Black Sticks returning from World Cup duty too late for the opening weekend, Auckland will need to make the best of the doubleheader minus outstanding teenage striker Simon Child and defender Richard Petherick.

They have lost national captain Ryan Archibald, goalkeeper Paul Woolford and striker Gareth Brooks for the entire competition. They are playing in Europe after the World Cup.

"We are going through a big rebuilding phase for the first couple of weeks," Baron, a Black Sticks squad member last year and a bright hope for the future, said yesterday.

"It's coming together pretty well, but Simon and Richard will add another dimension. We'll be strong when they get back."

Child and Baron have the potential to be among the stronger striking combinations in the league.

Last season, each scored six goals. Exclude Hayden Shaw, all of whose 18 goals came from penalty corners, and they trailed only Australian international Brent Livermore - back with Wellington again this season - and fellow Aussie Paul McKinnon, who got seven apiece.

Still, Baron wants more this season, his third in the league.

"I know where I want to be as far as a goalscoring tally is, but I don't like to put a figure on it," the 19-year-old said.

"Then you get too focused on numbers. I do know I want to be in the top two goalscorers in the league."

Having been in Kevin Towns' national squad for a series against Malaysia last year, then going to the Azlan Shah tournament in Malaysia, and being part of the World Cup qualifying squad, Baron's knocking on the door.

He's talked with Towns about what he needs to open it.

"I've been doing sprinting, a lot of gym work, getting stronger and hopefully long-term it'll pay off."

As for the national league, he reckons being competitive in the midfield is essential for Auckland.

"Making sure teams like North Harbour and Wellington don't get on top of us early. They are probably going to be the teams to beat."

One of the intriguing aspects of the league will be how Canterbury will defend their title, minus a stack of players from last year.

Then there's Harbour, who finished top in the round robin, only to slump at the finals weekend. Their only real loss is Black Stick Blair Hopping, who removes some defensive security.

As cover, coach Darren Smith has brought in Australian Darryl McCormack as guest player to shore up the back.

If they get through the hump of being without Hopping and fellow Black Sticks Bryce Collins and Ben Collier early on, they'll be in the hunt.

This weekend will give a good indication of whether the usual suspects will again dominate or if there's potential for a surprise. That will give the league a fresh element of interest.