Kookaburras and Hockeyroos to take on Black Sticks in Auckland

The Kookaburras and Hockeyroos will reignite their Trans-Tasman rivalries with New Zealand in a 4-match day series at the National Hockey Centre in Auckland from 10-15 May 2022.

The Sentinel Homes Trans-Tasman Series against the Vantage Black Sticks Men’s and Women’s Teams will be crucial preparation for the major tournaments ahead.

For the Hockeyroos, these events are the Women’s World Cup in July closely followed by the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Securing a seventh straight Commonwealth Games gold medal is the next major focus for the Kookaburras before the Men’s World Cup in January 2023.

This year notably marks the 100 year anniversary since the first test match between Australia’s and New Zealand’s Men’s Teams.

The Series will also act as a key selection tool to determine the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos teams for the Commonwealth Games and Women’s World Cup.

“As our Trans-Tasman neighbours, there is a long, fierce and respectful rivalry between the two nations on the hockey pitch and this series will add another intriguing chapter to it,” said Hockey Australia CEO David Pryles.

“Together with Hockey New Zealand we have been exploring options of holding a series and it is pleasing we have finally been able to lock in matches with the travel restrictions easing in both countries.”

“With the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos not having played an international match since last year’s Olympics, coupled with competition for places in the teams on the line, they are desperate to play and will enter this series with typical vigour.”

Each match day of the Trans-Tasman Series will be played as a double header and comes almost 12 months since the countries played in a similar series in Palmerston North.

“With the opening of the border, we’ve worked really hard with Hockey Australia to make this series happen and to give our community the chance to see our Black Sticks in action ahead of some pinnacle events on the horizon,” said Hockey New Zealand CEO Anthony Crummy.

“We can’t wait to bring more international hockey to all parts of the motu and get back to competing on the world stage.”

The Sentinel Homes Trans-Tasman Series will be broadcast LIVE in Australia on LIVEHockey. Match Day 1 will be free in front of the paywall with the following three match days requiring a LIVEHockey subscription.

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

Match Dates
Tuesday 10 May 2022
Thursday 12 May 2022
Saturday 14 May 2022
Sunday 15 May 2022
(start times TBC)

Broadcast: Livestreamed in Australia on LIVEHockey