Australia take revenge on Black Sticks

New Zealand’s Commonwealth Games women’s hockey gold medallists thudded back to earth, suffering a 4-1 defeat to Australia to continue their winless start to the Tri-Nations tournament in Cromwell.

A day after conceding a late winner to Japan, who beat them 2-1, the Black Sticks were no match for the team they so memorably beat 4-1 in the Gold Coast gold medal match last month.

It started promisingly for New Zealand when Olivia Merry scored inside the first 10 minutes to lock it up 1-1 after Australia’s Jodie Kenny opened the scoring from a penalty corner.

But Australia gradually took control, scoring in each of the next three quarters via Brooke Peris, Lily Brazel and Kalindi Commerford at the Central Otago Sports Club.

Black Sticks head coach Sean Dancer – standing in for Mark Hager for the tournament – was less than impressed.

‘‘We showed a lack of composure early on which led to cards and ultimately put more pressure on us. Overall it was a disappointing firsthalf performance,’’ Dancer said.

The Black Sticks are without five players from their Commonwealth Games victory: Stacey Michelsen, Sam Charlton, Liz Thompson and Amy Robinson all injured and Pippa Hayward retired.

New Zealand get another chance to make amends as they meet Japan tomorrow and Australia on Wednesday.