KEY POINTS:
Ryan Archibald is not holding his breath as he chases his Olympic dream at the cut-throat qualifying tournament, but he does admit it would be something special to follow his father Jeff on to hockey's biggest stage.
While hockey hosts World Cup tournaments, they are restricted to a
handful of teams. The Olympics, with 12 of the best, are the real deal.
Jeff Archibald was a key member of the team who, in 1976, stunned the hockey-playing world with their upset 1-0 gold medal triumph over Australia at the Montreal Olympics.
"I've always been hugely keen to follow dad to an Olympics," said Archibald ahead of his biggest challenge. "It would be fantastic to have a medal hung around my neck, but first we have to get there.
"To qualify is in many ways harder than doing that once you are there. Everything we have done in the last two years has been geared towards Beijing. To get there we have to win this [the Olympic qualifying tournament]."
Archibald says the transition from the old regime under Kevin Towns to the new, under rookie coach Shane McLeod has been smooth.
"Shane has built on the foundation laid by KT. We have had a very stable team but Shane has been able to give a few new players the opportunity," said Archibald. "I'm happy with the squad. It is the best we can muster".
It is no surprise that Archibald, tried in the centre-half role, has returned to his favoured position at inside-right. No surprise he was named, from that position, in the World All Stars team late last year.
He has often had Bryce Collins as his fellow inside-forward but with Collins unfortunately sidelined with injury, North Harbour's Ben Collier has stepped up.
For many of his first 40 internationals Collier, 23, played off the bench.
These days with Collins out but hoping for a return in Beijing, Collier has been McLeod's first choice.
"Ben has stepped in admirably," said Archibald. "We have quickly built a good understanding and are comfortable in switching sides".
Archibald has also built a good relationship with his strikers, having played many times with stalwarts Phil Burrows (176 games for NZ), Dave Kosoof (113), Bevan Hari (201), Gareth Brooks (82) and relative newcomer Simon Child, 19 (60).
"It has worked really well in playing so many games with guys like this," said Archibald. "Hopefully we can now take the next step".
It would be special for Ryan to follow his father in playing at that level. In 1999, Ryan Archibald was awarded a New Zealand Herald Junior Sports Award.
He followed his father in being so recognised. They remain the only father and son winners.
This year's award winners will be revealed in tomorrow's Herald.
