Hockeyroos fall 1-0 to New Zealand in first Oceania Cup match

The Hockeyroos will have to come from one game down in the three‑Test Oceania Cup series after falling 1–0 to New Zealand in a hard‑fought opener in Darwin. Despite sustained pressure, a clear territorial edge and a significant circle entry advantage, the Hockeyroos couldn’t find the finishing touch to turn dominance into goals.

At the other end, Black Sticks goalkeeper Grace O’Hanlon was immense — producing a string of sharp saves, commanding her circle and guiding a youthful side with authority. Her clean sheet was the foundation for a result that leaves New Zealand just one win away from sealing direct World Cup qualification on Australian soil.

The decisive moment of a tense affair came in the 48th minute with Olivia Shannon — widely regarded as one of the best players in world hockey — getting on the end of a sweeping move, to unleash an unstoppable reverse‑stick rocket against the run of play. It was a captain’s strike of the highest quality, silencing the home crowd and underlining her match‑winning pedigree.

The Hockeyroos enjoyed a significant circle entry advantage and long spells of possession, particularly in the third quarter, but couldn’t apply the final touch in front of goal. A flurry of penalty corners in quick succession and several promising open‑play chances were not enough to breach the defences of New Zealand shot stopper O’Hanlon.

Despite the setback, Hockeyroos captain Kaitlin Nobbs was resolute in her confidence that her side can turn the tables in game two, despite their Trans-Tasman rivals making things difficult at times.

“Absolutely, it’s one game and it was one goal. They only had two goal shots, and they got one. I have all the faith in the world that if we punish them a little bit more, we will get the result,” Nobbs said.

“They tend to play with a lot of people behind the ball and they really swarm the centre, which makes it really hard and congested to get through. But that’s why penalty corner attacks are always good opportunities - we had five of those, but we didn’t convert any.”

Nobbs also revealed she’s drawing on the strength of her father, Australian hockey legend Michael, who it was revealed recently is battling cancer - Kaitlin and her sister have set up a Go Fund Me for their father.

“Absolutely I’m taking his strength into these games. I think Dad wouldn’t want anything else. He’s a hockey fan through and through. He loves the game so much… and running around playing for him is good.”

Attack on show

The Hockeyroos’ high energy attacking prowess was on full show in the Top End. While it generated some good rewards at times, New Zealand countered with well‑executed aerial balls into midfield pockets to break the press. This ability to bypass pressure not only disrupted Australia’s rhythm but also created attacking platforms for the visitors. Intrigue will surround what tactical tweaks are made by both sides ahead of game two on Saturday.

Leadership shown in adversity

This match showcased leadership on both sides in testing circumstances. For New Zealand, captain Shannon lived up to her billing as one of the world’s elite, driving them forward at every opportunity and then delivering the game‑winner to put her side on the brink of World Cup qualification. Meanwhile, in a week that demanded as much emotional fortitude as physical effort, Australian captain Nobbs embodied resilience — summoning the strength to compete at the highest level just days after revealing her father’s health battle, a moment that spoke to the courage both are drawing on to face their challenges.

Bright Sparks in a Gallant Effort

In a performance that lacked a match-winner for the hosts, Morgan Mathison’s produced arguably her finest international performance to date, with her poise in possession and defensive reading of the play standing out. In a passage early in the second quarter, Mathison showed exemplary composure and crafty stickwork to eliminate and carry the ball behind the halfway line. She forced some good turnovers and was a good connector for her side throughout, while Alice Arnott’s willingness to take on defenders and ability to hunt the ball injected urgency into the forward line when it was most needed. Both offered glimpses of the creativity and drive Australia will need to unlock the Black Sticks’ defence in the matches to come.

The Hockeyroos play New Zealand in their second match this Saturday 6^th September at 2pm ACST live from MWT Hockey Centre in Darwin, where they’ll be looking to level the series.

See the Hockeyroos 2025 Oceania Cup Squad here.

See the Kookaburras 2025 Oceania Cup Squad here.

For more information about the 2025 Oceania Cup in Darwin, visit the Hockey Australia website here.

The 2025 Oceania Cup is proudly supported by the Northern Territory Government, through the Northern Territory Major Events Company.

Oceania Cup 2025 Match Schedule

MWT Hockey Centre, Marrara, Darwin