After taking a break from their Champions Trophy success the, Kookaburras will begin their 2006 program with a five-test series against Spain, starting next Friday.
With two matches in Melbourne, followed by three matches in Hobart, national coach, Barry Dancer, will be using the series to try and finalise his Commonwealth Games team for March.
'With Spain being in the top three in the world I expect a very good quality of matches,' said Dancer.
'It will be a very good preparation for the Commonwealth Games...we'll be playing 22 players over the five matches from which we'll be choosing our Commonwealth Games team.'
For Dancer and his coaching staff, choosing that team will be a difficult task with a group of incredibly talented players but not enough positions for all.
'It's very healthy that we have that competition and depth in our squad...We have a group of established world class players but also have a lot of the younger guys coming through for the future.'
While their immediate attention is on the Spanish series and the Commonwealth Games, the Kookaburras will also have one eye on the World Cup in Germany in September and will be preparing themselves for that challenge, including coming back from a Xmas break refreshed and ready for the year ahead.
''The players had some time off over Christmas to refresh and recharge in readiness for a pretty big year. While I don't expect them to be at their best for this series it won't take too long for them to get back to that with the idea that we peak for the Commonwealth Games.'
The five-test series promises to be a feast of fast and exciting hockey with both sides renowned for their skilful brand of play. Crowds in Melbourne and Hobart will be treated to some of the best names in the world with the likes of Jamie Dwyer and Champions Trophy Player of the Tournament Bevan George for the Kookaburras, and Pol Amat and Champions Trophy Leading Goal Scorer Santi Freixa for the Spaniards.
Kookaburras v Spain
Game 1 - Friday, 27 January, Melbourne, 7pm
Game 2 - Sunday, 29 January, Melbourne, 3pm
Game 3 - Wednesday, 1 February - Tasmanian Hockey Centre - 7pm
Game 4 - Friday, 3 February, Hobart, 7pm
Game 5 - Sunday, 5 February, Hobart, 1pm
Meanwhile, the Hockeyroos will begin their South American tour tonight with a practice game against Argentina. They will then play two more practice matches against Argentina and England before their first match of the four-nations tournament on Tuesday against Argentina
