Trans Tasman Trophy: Hockeyroos, Kookaburras begin brightly in New Zealand

All eyes were on the Hockeyroos in their first game under a new regime after a tumultuous six months. How did they fare against New Zealand?

Rosie Malone found the goals for the Hockeyroos. Picture: Griffith University Sports College

The new era of Australian women’s hockey got off to a promising start, with the Hockeyroos drawing 1-1 with New Zealand in Game One of the Trans Tasman Hockey Series.

After 446 days out of the international arena, the Australian men’s side also made their winning return, with the Kookaburras claiming a 3-1 win over the Blacksticks.

But all eyes were on the Hockeyroos as former player and dual Olympic gold medallist Katrina Powell took the coaching reigns for the first time.

The new coach unveiling two debutants – Courtney Schonell and Meg Pearce – as the former golden girls of Australian sport looked to get their Olympic preparations back on track after a tumultuous six months.

Former FIH Goalkeeper of the Year Rachel Lynch was immense in the first half, with the Victorian vindicating her return to the Olympic squad after initially being left out by previous coach Paul Gaudoin with several fantastic saves.

Classy striker Rosie Malone opened the scoring for the Hockeyroos in the 25th minute, crashing a forehand shot past the outstretched leg of Kiwi goalkeeper Grace O’Hanlon after an Australian steal in the middle of the park. Australia going into the main break ahead 1-0.

In the second half, a mouth-watering matchup between Stacey Michelsen and Aussie young gun Steph Kershaw set the turf alight as the Kiwis launched an offensive explosion.

Jocelyn Bartram replaced Lynch in the net, with the New South Wales product making several spectacular saves to help keep the clean sheet in tact.

It wasn’t until the 47th minute that the Australian goal line was finally breached, with Olivia Shannon finding herself alone in front of the net to tip home the equaliser for New Zealand.

Both side’s pushed hard for a winner, but had to settle for a draw in an entertaining affair.

“First game in 446 days, so definitely getting used to that international speed … the second half, with level heads, we definitely started playing more of our style and felt a lot more comfortable out there,” Australian captain Jane Claxton said.

Trent Mitton, picured during the 2018 Commonwealth Games, was a key figure in the Kookaburras’ win. Picture: AAP

In the men’s fixture the Kookaburras unveiled a new-look-midfield and another exciting debutant in 23-year-old Wagga Wagga product Dylan Martin.

It was a forgettable start for the home side with captain Blair Tarrant taken from the field in only the third minute after copping a stray ball to the head.

New Zealand has only beaten Australian twice in the last decade, and until halfway through the third term, it looked like a third victory may be a realistic possibility with the scores locked at 0-0.

But the Australians soon put paid to that idea, a clever reverse stick pass from Daniel Beale finding Tim Brand deep in the circle, with the 22-year-old coolly deflecting home to give the Kookaburras a 1-0 lead after 42 minutes.

With only five minutes left on the clock Kiwi star Hugo Inglis found debutant Sean Findlay on the edge of the circle – the youngster smashing an equaliser past Australian goalkeeper Andrew Charter.

But it only spurred the Kookaburras on – with Trent Mitton pouncing on a loose ball to score not long after, before Tom Wickham put the final nail in the Kiwi coffin with a cool finish in the final 60 seconds.

Australia running out 3-1 victors and taking a 1-0 series lead.

“We’re just pleased to be here really. We’ve been training to play international games for a long time. The tempo was a bit of a step up from training but it’s great to be back playing competitive hockey,” Australian captain Eddie Ockenden said.

The Trans Tasman Hockey Series continues on Friday, with games three and four on Sunday and Tuesday.