Match Report | Kookaburras complete Oceania Cup 3–0 sweep with 4–1 win in Darwin against New Zealand

The Kookaburras have wrapped up their 2025 Oceania Cup campaign in emphatic fashion, overturning an early deficit to beat New Zealand 4–1 in Darwin and secure a 3–0 series sweep — extending their unbeaten record in the competition since its inception in 1999.

Black Sticks captain Sam Lane stunned the hosts with a goal inside 42 seconds of the match start, but Australia’s response was ruthless.

Jack Welch’s penalty‑corner flick levelled the scores, Ky Willott’s gutsy deflection and Blake Govers’ drag‑flick put them in control before half‑time, while Tim Brand sealed the result in the third quarter from a slick Cambell Geddes assist.

New Zealand finished with spirit, forging late chances, but Australia’s set‑piece precision, high‑tempo play and emerging talent proved decisive.

Willott capped his career‑best year with his seventh international goal, while the side’s youngsters, including James Collins, Geddes and Liam Henderson yet again impressed.

It is promising signs for the Kookaburras side who already qualified for next year’s FIH World Cup after winning the 2023/2024 FIH Pro League as they continue their journey to LA2028 and beyond.

For co-captain Jeremy Hayward returning to his hometown of Darwin to play for Australia and take the win made it a very special week.

“With family and friends, being here where I grew up and playing for the Kookaburras. It’s something I’ll remember forever,” Hayward said.

“Thank you to the people putting (the event) on and all the people that came out - it was special to be here. I’ve enjoyed every moment and just loved it.”

Despite not scoring in front of his home crowd, the Kookaburras leader said the focus for the team is on developing.

“We’re looking forward to the World Cup. We need to develop world-class flickers and there’s already some in the ranks. At the moment it’s about developing our younger players and they’re doing super well,” Hayward said.

“Trying to find a spot in the squad is hard, let alone in the playing team. But it’s building competition and a fierce training environment. It’s a good problem to have.

“We’ll have a small break now. We’ve got the Hockey One season coming up, which we’ll play and enjoy in our separate teams and then we’ll come back together and look ahead to the World Cup.”

A VNR with Kookaburra co-captain and Darwin local, Jeremy Hayward can be found here.

Kookas’ 'Bazball'

Move over Bazball — the Kookaburras have their own fast, vibrant game style that lit up the Top End. With the tactical fingerprints of coach Mark Hager and his assistants, the men’s Australian side are playing in a high‑tempo flow state, consisting of progressive passing, active off‑the‑ball movement and stretching the field with width and depth. It appears at-times to be high‑risk, high‑reward hockey, but has fans on the edge of their seats and provides for countless celebratory moments.

Penalty corner hierarchy

With Jeremy Hayward’s opportunities from the set piece somewhat limited during this series, opportunities opened for others. Both Welch and Govers took their chances and found the net in Game Three. The depth in Australia’s battery options is a strength, but also a selection headache — and internal competition is only sharpening the edge. The upcoming Hockey One League is a prime chance for players to assert drag‑flick credentials ahead of next year’s World Cup.

A Legacy for the Top End

This week’s Oceania Cup brought more than elite hockey back to the Northern Territory — it gave Territory kids a living, breathing connection to elite sport, showcasing hockey’s pathway in the Top End. Hookin2Hockey participants ran out in curtain‑raisers, stood alongside their heroes, attended packed clinics, and collected autographs from their heroes. For local, Jeremy Hayward, who once watched the Kookaburras in Darwin as a boy, returning as captain to inspire the next generation was a full‑circle moment. In the Territory, seeing is believing — and the legacy of this week will be measured in the years ahead, in the dreams and determination of the children who left the MWT Hockey Stadium believing they, too, can take on the world.

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 - final results

MWT Hockey Centre, Marrara, Darwin