Familiarity on field lets sides focus on their own games

By the time New Zealand finish their six-match series against Korea, the two teams will most likely be on first-name terms, know each other's shoe size and have friended them on Facebook.

An extended rubber such as this leaves little room for surprise and brings plenty of familiarity.

Unlike tournament play, when several teams are encountered - and so different players, structures and philosophies have to be factored into preparation - New Zealand are confident they know what to expect from the Koreans in the remaining four matches of the series.

The first two at Rangitoto College were drawn 1-1, showing there's little between the teams.

New Zealand hope to work fresh strategies during the series, which resumes with a double header at the weekend at Pukekohe.

The Koreans, two places behind New Zealand at No8 in the world, play a fast-breaking game and are happy on the counter attack.

New Zealand have shown a welcome resolve when scrambling in defence, they work the flanks well, can be patient and can string together phases of passing.

They also have strikers such as Hugo Inglis and Stephen Jenness to cause problems for the opposing defence.

The squad for the World League 3 tournament in Rotterdam from June 13 to 23 - effectively the semifinal for the final in Delhi next January - will be named after the Korean series.

The New Zealand squad contains 11 players with fewer than 20 international caps. That's balanced by the likes of captain Dean Couzins, with 276 caps, striker Phil Burrows, on 292, and defender Shea McAleese on 175.

"In an ideal world you get more out of tournament situations. That's where the big things happen, like Olympics and World Cups," Auckland defender Couzins said. "You know what you're going to get [from the opponent]. As long as you keep growing your game you can get a lot out of it."

Penalty corner exponent Andy Hayward shares Couzins' view.

"Come Rotterdam it will be more about the other teams."