Hager is a proud Kiwi now

Mark Hager – proud Kiwi.

The Black Sticks coach played 231 hockey matches for Australia as a star striker, representing his country at two Olympic Games.

But after coaching the New Zealand women’s team for the past 10 years, the 53-year-old beamed and sang God Defend New Zealand as he watched his charges atop the podiums.

‘‘I’m very very proud,’’ Hager said. ‘‘I see myself as a New Zealander.

‘‘I’ve been there 10 years, my family is there, my grandkids are there – that’s probably our life now, in New Zealand.’’

He’d just witnessed New Zealand outplay the hosts at the Gold Coast Hockey Centre in a 4-1 win that eased some painful memories of previous near-misses. ‘‘It’s the monkey off the back. ‘‘This is a team that I really love and I love being a part of,’’ Hager said. ‘‘They gave me a chance 10 years ago to coach a national team. I’m so proud.

‘‘I see myself as a New Zealander. I’ve been there 10 years, my family is there, my grandkids are there – that’s probably our life now, in New Zealand.’’

After a dramatic semifinal shootout win over England, the margin of victory in the final surprised most, including the coach.

‘‘I thought we started really well, we moved the ball around really well, we created some opportunities early.

‘‘[Goalkeeper] Rachael Lynch I thought kept Aussie in the game early on and had an outstanding game,’’ Hager said.

‘‘We spoke about relaxing inside the circle – particularly Shiloh [Gloyn] – I felt she rushed the first couple of shots – and then she went out there and got us 1-0 up, which was brilliant.

‘‘Then I think the girls felt ‘yep, we’re confident, we can do this’.’’

Gloyn had NZ one-up at halftime before Rose Keddell and Olivia Merry netted from penalty corners in the third quarter. Australia raised a few nerves when