Four new faces in Black Sticks to face Aussies
Four uncapped players have been named in the Black Sticks’ squads to face Australia in the upcoming transTasman series in Palmerston North.
Head coaches Darren Smith (men) and Graham Shaw (women) have named squads of 22 for the four doubleheaders at Massey University from May 27-June 1.
Likely to make their debuts are Wellington defender Oliver Macintyre and the Hawke’s Bay pair of Sean Findlay (midfielder) and Sam Hiha (striker). Auckland striker Tyler Lench is the only uncapped player in the women’s squad.
Smith said it would be a special moment to see the men’s trio make
Steve Edwards, George Muir (North Harbour); Leon Hayward (GK), Jared Panchia (Auckland); Nic Woods (Waikato); Sean Findlay, Sam Hiha, Shea Mcaleese, Dylan Thomas (Hawke’s Bay); Nickwilson (Manawatu); Stephen Jenness, Dane Lett, Oliver Macintyre, Jacob Smith (Wellington); David Brydon, George Enersen (GK), Sam Lane, Dominic Newman (Canterbury); Hugo Inglis, Nick Ross, Kane Russell, Blair Tarrant (Otago).
Ella Gunson, Stacey Michelsen (Northland); Steph Dickins (North Harbour); Katie Doar, Julia King, Tyler Lench, Grace O’hanlon (GK), Liz Thompson (Auckland); Tarryn Davey (Thames Valley); Alia Jaques (Waikato); Samantha Charlton, Frances Davies, Rose Keddell (Tauranga); Holly Pearson, Hope Ralph (Taranaki); Georgia Barnett (GK), Kayla Whitelock, Olivia Shannon (Manawatu); Megan Hull (Wairarapa); Kelsey Smith (Nelson); Olivia Merry (Canterbury); Tessa Jopp (Otago).
their debuts.
‘‘Sean, Oliver, and Sam will get to pull on the black jersey for the first time – something that’s long been a dream of theirs and will now become a reality.’’
The Black Sticks men welcome back prolific goal scorer Nick Wilson who last played for his country five years ago
at the Rio Olympics.
Wilson will play in front of his home crowd in Palmerston North for the first time, despite having 170 caps for his country.
The Black Sticks squads for the Tokyo Olympics will be named in the week after the Trans-tasman series.