Kookaburras hit Ireland for six to charge on unbeaten in Europe

The Kookaburras have rocketed into the top three on the FIH Pro League standings, after claiming their biggest win of the season, with a 6-1 win over Ireland in Antwerp, Belgium.

In a match that showcased Australia's trademark speed, rapid counterattack and clinical finishing, the Kookaburras piled on three goals in a blistering third quarter to put the contest beyond doubt and remain unbeaten in Europe.

"Ireland is a proud nation. They come out swinging and they play a hard brand of hockey," Cooper Burns said post-match.

"They knocked off Belgium yesterday, and we knew they would've wanted to come out hard and get another win so I'm proud of the boys to come out the way they did and put on a good performance.

Ireland lined up with renewed confidence after an impressive 3-2 win over world number three Belgium just a day earlier. 

But the Kookaburras started with rapid pace and within three minutes, NT's Jeremy Hayward ensured Australia took an early lead, capitalising on the first penalty corner, with his 123rd career goal.

Despite Australia forcing the Irish goalkeeper to make back-to-back saves, they found a way to answer back. Levelling the scores 10 minutes later.

The Kookaburras' relentless midfield pressure paid off when Nathan Ephraums tore through on an unstoppable counterattack, resulting in a penalty stroke that Blake Govers calmly converted with precision to reclaim a 2-1 lead at the half.

Then came the third-quarter blitz.

Victoria's Cooper Burns ignited the onslaught with a skilful finish to extend the lead to 3-1 and bag his second goal in a week, before Connar Otterbach scored his maiden international goal with a perfectly timed touch from a penalty corner that left the Irish defence stranded.

"The coaches have given me a lot of freedom to go out there and play my style of hockey, which is the way I like to play, and all of the boys have put a lot of faith and trust in me, and they tell me to take the game on. I've learned a lot from the boys in the team," Cooper added.

Less than a minute later, Tasmania's Jack Welch hammered home a strike into the bottom corner to cap off an electrifying spell of three goals in quick succession.

The Kookaburras had turned a tight contest into a 5-1 romp in a matter of minutes.
         
Ireland showed moments of fight in the final quarter, earning a penalty corner and forcing Aussie goalkeeper Jed Snowden into back-to-back saves. But it was Australia who had the final say, as Tom Craig sparked a counterattack that ended with Govers blasting in his second goal of the match to seal a 6-1 victory.

The Kookaburras will aim to keep their unbeaten streak alive when they go again against Ireland in 24 hours.

"We will make a few tweaks, we'll take a look at what we can do better and we know Ireland will come out strong again, they'll want to win and play hard hockey so we'll come back with a plan and we'll stick to that," Cooper said.

Game two hits off tomorrow night at 9.30pm AWST / 11.30pm AEST on Tuesday night, live and free on 7plus.

Full FIH Pro League fixtures & results

Kookaburras v Ireland
Kookaburras: 6 (Jeremy Hayward 3" (PC), Blake Govers 20" & 58" (PS & FG), Cooper Burns 36" (FG), Connar Otterbach 42" (PC), Jack Welch 43" (FG))
Ireland: 1 (Johnny McKee 13" (FG))
Sportcentrum Wilrijkse Plein, Antwerp

Kookaburras: 2. Tom Craig, 5. Cooper Burns, 6. Anand Gupte, 7. Nathan Ephraums, 12. Jed Snowden (gk), 13. Blake Govers, 17. Tom Harvie, 19. Craig Marais, 20. Ky Willott (c), 21. Jack Welch, 23. Hayden Beltz, 25. Nathan Czinner, 26. James Collins, 28. Ash Thomas (gk), 29. Tim Brand, 32. Jeremy Hayward, 48. Davis Atkin, 56. Connar Otterbach

Kookaburras FIH Pro League UK/Europe Tour Schedule

Antwerp, Belgium
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