Four Nations Hockeyroos pick youth
THE Hockeyroos have injected three uncapped players into their squad for next month’s Four Nations tournament in Japan.
Fresh off a semi-finals run at the women’s World Cup in London, third-ranked Australia have turned to next-generation talent to face South Korea (10th), United States (12th) and hosts Japan (14th) during the five-day tournament in Osaka.
Several senior members have made way in the 18-player squad with Hayley Padget, Sophie Taylor and Rebecca Greiner aiming to make their international debuts.
Midfielder Padget, 25, and defender Taylor, 22, are both part of the national development squad and 19-year-old forward Greiner is promoted from the national junior squad.
Midfielder Mikaela Patterson has also been added from outside the national senior squad although she debuted against Japan in Adelaide last November. “It’s exciting to provide this opportunity to some new faces at an international level,” Hockeyroos coach Paul Gaudoin said.
Jane Claxton returns to the squad after a hamstring injury while goalkeeper Ashlee Wells and defender Ashlea Fey are also included after World Cup selection.
The Hockeyroos play Japan in their opening match of the Four Nations on September 12, before taking on South Korea a day later and the US on September 15 – with the final and third-place playoff on September 16. missing