COVID forces postponement of Kookaburras’ series with New Zealand

The Kookaburras will not head to Auckland for next week’s Trans-Tasman Series due to an evolving COVID situation involving the New Zealand men’s hockey team.

Hockey Australia was informed of the situation by Hockey New Zealand which will prevent the Vantage Black Sticks Men’s Team from competing on the scheduled days of the 4-match series (10/12/14/15 May).

New dates have been organised with the matches to now take place on Tuesday 31 May, Thursday 2, Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 June (start times to be confirmed).

The matches between the Hockeyroos and the Vantage Black Sticks Women’s Team will go ahead as scheduled next week. The start times have been adjusted.

“Any sporting competition and event in the current climate is open to the risk of COVID and unfortunately it has happened with New Zealand’s Men’s Team,” said HA High Performance Director Bernard Savage.

“This is obviously unfortunate as the Kookaburras were looking forward to getting to Auckland and competing next week.”

“We send our well wishes to the New Zealand squad and hope they navigate their way through it, make a speedy recovery and get back to training and playing as soon as possible.”

“Thanks to positive collaboration with Hockey New Zealand, it is great to have rescheduled dates confirmed for the matches later this month.”

The series will be broadcast LIVE in Australia on LIVEHockey.

Sentinel Homes Trans-Tasman Series 2022
New Zealand v Australia
National Hockey Centre, Auckland New Zealand

Women’s Match Dates
Tuesday 10 May (7.05pm local, 5.05pm AEST)
Thursday 12 May (7.05pm local, 5.05pm AEST)
Saturday 14 May (3.35pm local, 1.35pm AEST)
Sunday 15 May (3.35pm local, 1.35pm AEST)

Men’s Match Dates
Tuesday 31 May
Thursday 2 June
Saturday 4 June
Sunday 5 June
(start times TBC)

Broadcast: Streamed LIVE in Australia on LIVEHockey.