Kookaburras’ European trio return for Trans-Tasman Series

Kookaburras Head Coach Colin Batch will welcome back three players who have been playing club hockey in Europe for the upcoming Trans-Tasman Series in Auckland.

Tim Brand, Tom Craig and Corey Weyer have been included in the 22-player squad for the 4-match series against New Zealand that starts on Tuesday.

Brand and Craig have been playing for Klein Zwitserland in the Netherlands, while Weyer has returned after a season with Royal Herakles in Belgium’s top division.

The two other European based Kookaburras, Matt Dawson and Lachlan Sharp, will remain overseas as their Dutch teams feature in the finals.

In addition to the returning trio, James Collins, Craig Marais and Ben Rennie will also be in the travel party to Auckland as cover in case of illness or injury to any of the selected 22 during the series.

Ky Willott retains his spot in the squad after impressing during the Kookaburras’ recent four-match clean sweep of Malaysia in Perth.

The series against New Zealand will be the last internationals the world number one ranked Kookaburras play before selection of the 18-player squad for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Thus, there is more than dominance over their Trans-Tasman rivals on the line as players vie for spots.

“Every time we play we want to see a performance, so we’ve got some matches that we were able to assess with Malaysia and this series will be similar,” said Batch.

“It remains very competitive to get into that final team for the Commonwealth Games. The squad is developing nicely so there will be some tough decisions to make.”

Significantly, this year marks the centenary of the first test match played between Australia’s and New Zealand’s Men’s Teams.

Having made 175 appearances for the Kookaburras as a player, coupled with having coached the Black Sticks Men’s Team from 2012-2016, Batch knows Australian hockey’s history and rivalry with New Zealand is special.

“Every time we play New Zealand it’s a competitive series and it’s nice to have that history that we’re reflecting on because we don’t tend to do that as much as some other sports,” said Batch.

“To be playing against each other competitively for 100 years is quite incredible given that hockey would not have been played for long in either country.”

The Trans-Tasman Series will feature four double header match days that includes the national women’s teams.

The series will be broadcast LIVE in Australia on LIVEHockey. Match Day 1 will be free of charge with the following three match days requiring a LIVEHockey subscription.

Kookaburras squad - 2022 Trans-Tasman Series

Sentinel Homes Trans-Tasman Series
New Zealand v Australia
National Hockey Centre, Auckland New Zealand

Match Dates
Tuesday 10 May 2022
5.35pm local (3.35pm AEST) Hockeyroos v Vantage Black Sticks Women
7.35pm local (5.35pm AEST) Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men

Thursday 12 May 2022
5.35pm local (3.35pm AEST) Hockeyroos v Vantage Black Sticks Women
7.35pm local (5.35pm AEST) Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men

Saturday 14 May 2022
2.05pm local (12.05pm AEST) Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men
4.05pm local (2.05pm AEST) Hockeyroos v Vantage Black Sticks Women

Sunday 15 May 2022
2.05pm local (12.05pm AEST) Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men
4.05pm local (2.05pm AEST) Hockeyroos v Vantage Black Sticks Women

Broadcast: Streamed LIVE in Australia on LIVEHockey.