There is a real sense of anticipation ahead of the Black Sticks Men's and Women's trans-Tasman Oceania Cup finals being held in Stratford tomorrow afternoon.
The Black Sticks Women will face the Hockeyroos at 1.40pm and the Black Sticks Men will take on the Kookaburras at 4pm. It's the Black Sticks Men's last chance to automatically qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Both games will be LIVE on Sky with gate sales still available.
"This is Taranaki's chance to help our Kiwi teams get two great wins and help our Black Sticks Men get to Rio. The louder and more supportive the crowd, the better!" said Hockey New Zealand chief executive Malcolm Harris.
In today's games, the Black Sticks Women drew 2-2 with Australia, while in the earlier tests the Black Sticks Men won 12-0 against Fiji, and Australia ran away with a 36-0 victory against Samoa.
It was an entertaining women's game with New Zealand leading 2-1 late in the game until Australia's Jodie Kenny executed a superb penalty corner with four minutes to play.
Australia was the first to score through Kathryn Slattery in the 14th minute and it was just three minutes later that Black Stick Kirsten Pearce took a reverse stick shot from the top of the goal to equalise.
Canterbury's Olivia Merry got a great deflection from a penalty corner in the 39th minute, and although the Black Sticks worked hard to hold on and get the win, it was Kenny who tied it up.
Black Sticks Women's head coach Mark Hager said he was pleased with his team's overall performance.
"I think we should have been up by a couple more goals by the last quarter, but credit to Australia, they defended well and made some good saves," said Hager.
"I'm pretty pleased at how we defended for the majority of the game. The key is finishing it off, they are two tight close teams and if you don't put away your chances then you are not going to win these games," said Hager.
The Black Sticks Men faced Fiji in their final pool game today and it was Kane Russell who led the scoring with two penalty corners and a field goal. Ryan Archibald, Simon Child and Hugo Inglis got doubles with Stephen Jenness, Nic Woods and Hugo Inglis also getting on the card.
There was lots happening off the field in sunny Stratford, with entertainers taking to the stage throughout the day, kids playing Renegade hockey, Just Hockey promotions and NZ Post activities for the children and their parents. The festivities continue for finals day with Taranaki's popular Seaside Markets relocating to Stratford for the day.
The bronze medal games tomorrow will be live-streamed on www.hockeynz.co.nz. The men's and women's finals are LIVE on Sky.
RESULTS
New Zealand Women vs Australia
Full time: 2-2
Half time: 1-1
NZ goal scorers: Kirsten Pearce, Olivia Merry
Australia goal scorers: Kathryn Slattery
New Zealand Men vs Fiji
Full time: 12-0
Half time: 5-0
NZ goal scorers: Ryan Archibald x2, Simon Child x2, Stephen Jenness, Hugo Inglis x2, Kane Russell x3, Nic Woods, Hugo Inglis
Australia Men vs Samoa
Full time: 36-0
Half time: 15-0
Australia goal scorers: Jamie Dwyer x6, Tom Craig x3, Glenn Turner x3, Chris Ciriello, Matthew Dawson, Joshua Beltz, Eddie Ockenden, Blake Govers x2, Joel Carroll, Matt Gohdes x6, Aran Zalewski x2, Tim Deavin, Flynn Ogilvie x3, Trent Mitton x4, Fergus Kavanagh
