Three new faces in tour squad

New Zealand women’s hockey team head coach Mark Hager has named three uncapped players in a youthful squad for a test series in Argentina next month.

Midfielders Tessa Jopp (Southern) and Stephanie Dickins (Midlands) and goalkeeper Grace O’Hanlon, a former Queensland representative and member of the Australian national development squad last year, were all named in a 21-strong group yesterday.

The squad for the series, which will be played in Buenos Aires from February 10-22, has an average age of just 23 and also includes eight others with less than 50 caps for the Black Sticks.

Spearheading the group is defender Stacey Michelsen, who has 216 caps, while defenders Sam Charlton, Liz Thompson, Rose Keddell and Ella Gunson and striker Olivia Merry have all

BLACK STICKS SQUAD Goalkeepers: Georgia Barnett, Grace O’Hanlon. Defenders: Sam Charlton, Frances Davies, Natasha Fitzsimons, Erin Goad, Ella Gunson, Rose Keddell, Stacey Michelsen, Brooke Neal, Jenny Storey, Liz Thompson, Midfielders: Stephanie Dickins, Jordan Grant, Tessa Jopp, Rachel McCann, Phoebe Steele. Strikers: Michaela Curtis, Olivia Merry, Amy Robinson, Kelsey Smith

played more than 100 games.

Other familiar faces Anita McLaren, Gemma Flynn, Charlotte Harrison, Petrea Webster and Sophie Cocks are taking a break and were not available for selection, with North Harbour defender Kathryn Henry still rehabilitating from a torn ACL suffered in 2016 and also out of contention. DHager said the series is a great opportunity for the world No 5 Kiwi side to open the year against the thirdranked Argentinians.