Time for Black Sticks women to produce their best against the best, coach says

Captain Anita Punt and the Black Sticks are taking on the world's best at the World League Final in Argentina.

Captain Anita Punt and the Black Sticks are taking on the world's best at the World League Final in Argentina.

Black Sticks hockey coach Mark Hager says this week's World League Final tournament in Argentina is key to unlocking his team's potential ahead of next year's Rio Olympics.

Six of the world's top eight women's hockey sides are in Rosario for the last major event of the year.

With the Games in Brazil eight months away, fourth-ranked New Zealand are determined to prove they can produce their best when it matters most. 

The tournament is the last chance for fringe players to impress before the wider Olympic squad is named later this month.

Only 16 can go to Rio, but 25 will make the initial cut when the squad returns to NZ.

"This team has the potential, we just have to make sure we make the most of what we've got with this group of girls," Hager said.

"They are able to match the best teams in the world and for us it's about winning the crucial games and the crucial moments in each game that will make the difference."

After this morning's opener against Korea, the Kiwis face the top-ranked Netherlands on Monday and ninth-ranked Germany on Wednesday to complete pool play.

All eight teams in the two pools of four are guaranteed a spot in Friday's quarterfinals, with world No 2 Australia, third-ranked Argentina and fifth-ranked China all possible opponents for the Black Sticks.

New Zealand are determined to get past that stage and, at a minimum, claim a top three finish, Hager said.

"We've set ourselves targets and we want to make gains.

"If we don't get a medal here, that tells us we have work to do, but if we do well then we are on the right track with what we are trying to achieve."

The matches would be invaluable for the squad's younger members, Hager said.

"You can't beat it, playing against the best in the world is what you want," he said.

"It helps you in the long term because you can talk about it and talk about it, but until you experience it you don't quite know how to handle it."

Based on rankings, the Black Sticks are expected to finish runner-up in pool A.

That would set-up a quarterfinal against the third-placed team in pool B, which is most likely to be Great Britain or China.

WORLD LEAGUE FINAL, ARGENTINA

NZ women remaining pool matches:

- v Netherlands, Monday, December 7, 8.30am (live on Sky Sport 2)

- v Germany, Wednesday, December 9, 10.45am (live on Sky Sport 2)


 - Sunday Star Times

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