Squad Announcement: Stars return and tough calls define Hager’s 18 for 2025 Oceania Cup

Bold omissions and the return of star firepower headline Kookaburras Coach Mark Hager’s 18- man squad for next week’s 2025 Oceania Cup in Darwin. 

With less than a year to go until August’s 2026 FIH World Cup, the already-qualified Kookaburra are prioritising international game time while welcoming back four key players from injury as they prepare to defend their title against New Zealand in a best-of-three Test series. 

“This selection is a credit to our first-year players and how they’ve performed this year,” Mark Hager said.

“Unfortunately, Craig Marais and Jake Harvie were unavailable for selection due to injury, but there’s impressive talent in Cooper Burns, Anand Gupte, Tom Harvie and Joel Rintala, who have all had a good year, and they’re unlucky to miss out this time.

“They’ve put pressure on selections, and it highlights the depth and the competition within this group and how they’re consistently pushing each other for places. It’s a fantastic attitude to have, and it’s providing a positive, challenging environment.”

Four key players are set to make their return from injury, including 179 international caps worth of experience in Gold Coast defender Corey Weyer and Lithgow’s midfield maestro Lachlan Sharp, who returns for the first time since the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“It feels like it’s been a long year and a long time sitting on the sidelines after having surgery in February,” Corey admitted.

“It’s a good vibe and it’s an exciting young group. I’m looking forward to playing with Liam Henderson again. We’ve both been injured since Sydney, and he’s a super exciting young talent in the midfield, so I’m looking forward to passing him a nice, easy ball and watching him go to work.” 

Adding firepower through the midfield will be the duo of Perth’s Cam Geddes and Melbourne’s Liam Henderson. Both  broke onto the international scene with their debuts in Sydney in February, before sustaining injuries; Liam a 16cm tear to his hamstring. 

“They’re young players who just love the game and they bring an immense energy which saw them impress earlier in the year,” Hager said.

“Liam’s very exciting on the ball, he breaks lines and has a great passing repertoire. We want to see him control our middle a little more, and we’re anticipating he’ll deliver on this tour.” 

“To miss out on the Europe tour was really upsetting, you get a little taste of international competition and then it’s gone, and that’s the reality of high performance sport and what will make this tour in Darwin all the more special,” Liam said. 

“It’ll be great to have Lachie Sharp back, we’ve missed him a little bit… I just want to let the likes of Lachie and Tom Craig go to work. They’re so quick, so smart and I just want to throw them the ball and sit back. It’s going to be a great tour for us and we’re up for it.” 

“Cam’s another exciting young midfielder, he’s very quick. In our recent practice series against India, he showed he can score field goals, while also bringing a solid drag flick. He’s impressive, especially given he’s still learning the position as a former defender,” Mark added. 

The Kookaburras begin their campaign against the Vantage Black Sticks Men on Thursday, 4 September at 6.30pm AEST. 

All Kookaburras and Hockeyroos matches will be broadcast LIVE and free on 7plus.

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

Jake Harvie and Craig Marais were unavailable for selection due to injury.

Kookaburras 2025 Oceania Cup Schedule
MWT Hockey Centre, Marrara, Darwin

Thursday, 4 September – 6.00pm ACST / 6.30pm AEST / 4.00pm AWST
Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men

Saturday, 6 September – 4.00pm ACST / 4.30pm AEST / 2.00pm AWST
Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men

Sunday, 7 September – 4.00pm ACST / 4.30pm AEST / 2.00pm AWST
Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men