Craig & Rintala Inspire Kookaburras Thrilling Comeback Victory Over India

The Kookaburras have launched their European FIH Pro League campaign in stunning fashion, staging a dramatic final-quarter comeback to clinch a 3–2 victory over India in Belgium.

Returning strikers Tom Craig and Joel Rintala starred in their long-awaited comebacks, adding firepower to a dynamic, new-look Australian side that has already upset world number one and two teams, the Netherlands and Belgium, earlier this year.

The match winner came in a heart-stopping moment in the final 43 seconds, when a shootout seemed imminent with the scores locked at 2-all after a last quarter blitz by Australia.

Returning for the first time in 12 months, Lane Cove’s Tom Craig made a decisive last-minute call to review an overhead ball. The referral was upheld, setting the stage for one final penalty corner.

From the top of the circle, Jeremy Hayward’s flick found Tom, who was rapid after his injection to execute a sublime deflection past the Indian goalkeeper to seal an unforgettable victory and cap off a Player of the Match performance.

"I'm just happy to be back, I'm always so grateful for the opportunity to play for Australia," Tom told 7plus.

"It's a new chapter that's for sure, both personally and for this team. I've been welcomed back so graciously, and I'm just so grateful, it means everything, and it feels so good to be back out there."

His impact inspired a crucial momentum shift midway through the third quarter. As the Kookaburras trailed 2-0, his explosive pace and power in a period of immense attacking pressure by Australia set up a clinical finish from Victorian forward Nathan Ephraums to kickstart the comeback.

India struggled to absorb the momentum shift, and it opened the door for Joel Rintala’s fairytale return.

Back in green and gold for the first time in 430 days, following a string of injury setbacks that halted his career following a hat-trick in just his second international appearance for Australia in 2023, the Queensland drag flick specialist delivered in trademark style. 

With composure and precision, Joel rifled home the equaliser, his ninth goal in just seven international appearances, to further underline his extraordinary strike rate.

"It felt really good to be back out there! It was great to blow some cobwebs out in my first game back in well over a year, so to be able to run around and have a crack was great," Joel said post-match.

"I'm just impressed at our resilience to keep going, it wasn't quite working for us at the start, but then at the end we clicked and found the air and got the wind... to get the victory is so good."

The Kookaburras go again in less than 24 hours, when they return to Sportcentrum Wilrijkse Plein in Antwerp for a re-match against India at 4.30pm AWST / 6.30pm AEST on Sunday evening, live and free on 7plus.

Full FIH Pro League fixtures & results

Kookaburras v India
Kookaburras: 3 (Nathan Ephraums 42" (FG), Joel Rintala 56" (PC), Tom Craig 60" (PC))
India: 2 (Abhishek, 8" & 35" (FG & FG))
Sportcentrum Wilrijkse Plein, Antwerp

Kookaburras: 2. Tom Craig, 5. Cooper Burns, 6. Anand Gupte, 7. Nathan Ephraums, 12. Jed Snowden (gk), 16. Tim Howard, 19. Craig Marais, 20. Ky Willott, 23. Hayden Beltz, 25. Nathan Czinner, 26. James Collins, 27. Joel Rintala, 28. Ash Thomas (gk), 29. Tim Brand, 32. Jeremy Hayward (c), 48. Davis Atkin, 56. Connar Otterbach, 61. Ben White

Kookaburras FIH Pro League UK/Europe Tour Schedule

Antwerp, Belgium
Sunday, June 15 – 6.30pm AEST / 4.30pm AWST – India v Kookaburras
Tuesday, June 17 – 11.30pm AEST / 9.30pm AWST – Kookaburras v Ireland
Wednesday, June 18 – 11.30pm AEST / 9.30pm AWST – Ireland v Kookaburras

London, England
Sunday, June 22 – 12.30am AEST / 10.30pm AWST (Sat June 21) – England v Kookaburras
Sunday, June 22 – 11.30pm AEST / 9.30pm AWST - England v Kookaburras

Berlin, Germany
Wednesday, June 25 – 3.30am AEST / 1.30am AWST – Germany v Kookaburras
Thursday, June 26 - 3.30am AEST / 1.30am AWST – Germany v Kookaburras