Kookaburras eye three-peat

NOW here’s a national men’s sporting team to get behind.

The world No.1 Kookaburras will be aiming for a historic hockey World Cup threepeat when the quadrennial tournament starts in India tonight.

Success would cap off a dream 12 months for coach Colin Batch and his men, who took out the World League final, Commonwealth Games and Champions Trophy titles.

Both Pakistan (1978 and 1982) and Germany (2002 and 2006) have won back-to-back titles, however no other nation has claimed three straight World Cups.

“To win any tournament where you play the world’s best is an amazing opportunity, but to do it three times in a row

Swann is one of just two survivors from the squad that won in 2010, having rejoined following a four-month break for personal reasons earlier this year.

Despite missing a shot at Commonwealth gold on the Gold Coast, the 29-year-old was always confident of selection in Bhubaneswar.

He was part of their World League final victory almost a year ago in the same venue where the Kookaburras will meet Ireland in their Cup opener.

He has fond memories of their victory in New Delhi eight years ago.

While Argentina and Belgium are expected to be Australia’s greatest threats, Swann predicted the home side to be a dark horse. The Kookaburras beat India in a dramatic shootout in the Champions Trophy in July.