Tassie trio get call-up for Kookaburras

HOCKEY stars Eddie Ockenden, Joshua Beltz and Tristan Clemons have been recalled to the Kookaburras’ Oceania Cup team to compete in Sydney next week.

The trio join OHA’s premiership hero Jeremy Edwards in a star-studded Australian side looking to crush New Zealand and Fiji and earn maximum world ranking points.

Selection comes after their performances at the Australian Hockey League in Perth, which ends this weekend.

Beltz, 21, played the last of his 19 internationals against Pakistan in March and after missing two important tournaments he feels refreshed.

“It’s been a long year so far, but I have been really enjoying training and relishing the opportunity to complete some more of my university degree,” he said from Perth.

“I’ve been really focusing on my defensive work recently and trying to get that to a quality international standard after focusing on my offensive game in 2016. It’s been good to change that and try to improve other areas.”

Ockenden is back after being a late withdrawal from July’s World League semifinals for the birth of his son, along with Clemons, while Edwards appears to have cemented his place.

Australia sits second in the FIH world rankings and Beltz agreed with coach Colin Batch’s sentiments that maintaining that position was vital.

“I think every tournament is important, with ranking points on the line, as well as the opportunity to refine our new game plan,” he said.

The Kookaburras head to Sydney from the AHL in Perth and start on Wednesday.