Black Sticks Women’s head coach Mark Hager says although his side had a convincing series win against India in December, they will need to lift their game when they play number two ranked Argentina in four weeks’ time.
Hager has announced eight players from the London Olympics alongside nine others from the Indian series, with one final player to be announced once the squad has returned to training next week.
"The more international experience we can give new players early on in an Olympic cycle, the better. Although we had wins against India, we need to significantly improve our performance if we are to beat Argentina," says Hager.
"It is a great chance for players to prove themselves against one of the world’s best teams. It’s always more challenging playing away from home in an environment that isn’t familiar. It will be a good test, especially for the less experienced players."
Sian Fremaux, Rose Keddell, Pippa Hayward, Olivia Merry, Cassandra Reid and Aniwaka Roberts are all players who debuted in the Indian series and have since made the side.
Olympians Sam Charlton, Gemma Flynn, Stacey Michelsen, Katie Glynn and Anita Punt have also been named. Krystal Forgesson, Emily Naylor and goalkeeper Bianca Russell all return having had an extended break following the Olympics.
Argentina’s silver medal winning team remain largely unchanged since the London Olympics, with seven time World Player of the Year Luciana Aymar likely to line up against the Black Sticks in February.
The Black Sticks start team trainings from Monday and leave for Argentina on the 21st February, returning to New Zealand on the 4th March. The tests will be held on the 24th, 25th and 27th February as well as the 1st and 2nd March (NZ Time).
When they return from Argentina, their next event will be a Four Nations Tournament to be held in New Zealand in April.
Black Sticks Women - Argentina Tour
21 February – 4 March 2012
| SHIRT # | NAME | NHL TEAM | POSITION | AGE | CAPS |
| 18 | Bridget Blackwood | Canterbury | Midfield/Defender | 21 | 17 |
| 13 | Sam Charlton | Midlands | Defender/Midfield | 21 | 42 |
| 22 | Gemma Flynn | Midlands | Midfield/Striker | 22 | 122 |
| 3 | Krystal Forgesson | Auckland | Midfield/Striker | 30 | 168 |
| 25 | Sian Fremaux | Canterbury | Midfield/Striker | 20 | 6 |
| 10 | Amelia Gibson | Canterbury | Goalkeeper | 21 | 14 |
| 5 | Katie Glynn | Auckland | Striker | 23 | 99 |
| 24 | Rose Keddell | Midlands | Defender/Midfield | 18 | 6 |
| 26 | Pippa Hayward | Canterbury | Defender/Midfield | 22 | 6 |
| 4 | Olivia Merry | Canterbury | Striker | 20 | 6 |
| 31 | Stacey Michelsen | Norrthland | Defender/Midfield | 21 | 115 |
| 2 | Emily Naylor | Central | Defender/Midfield | 27 | 203 |
| 32 | Anita Punt | Capital | Midfield | 25 | 109 |
| 23 | Cassandra Reid | Canterbury | Midfield | 18 | 5 |
| 7 | Aniwaka Roberts | Capital | Defender/Midfield | 23 | 6 |
| 30 | Bianca Russell | North Harbour | Goalkeeper | 34 | 48 |
| 6 | Petrea Webster | North Harbour | Striker/Midifeld | 24 | 20 |
Source: Hockey New Zealand website
