Kookaburras end Trans-Tasman Series on a high

A dominant start and a barnstorming finish have seen the Kookaburras round off their Trans-Tasman Series with a 5-1 victory over New Zealand.

Two goals in the first quarter were followed by three in the last 12 minutes to give the Kookaburras a clean sweep in the series and a reinforcement that they are on the right track less than two months out from the Olympics.

Just like Match 3 the Kookaburras made a fast start, Josh Simmonds drawing an excellent save low down from Blacksticks goalkeeper George Enerson in the opening two minutes.

A minute later Tim Brand jumped on a loose ball in the circle and fired on goal, with Nathan Ephraums perfectly positioned at the back post to glance it in for his third goal of the series.

Tom Wickham then made it 2-0 in the 13th minute with a sharp rebound off another stinging Brand effort.

Nearing half time the Blacksticks were given a lifeline when Shea McAleese converted a penalty stroke to leave the Kookaburras with a slender 2-1 lead at the break.

The Blacksticks then enjoyed arguably their best period of the series in the third quarter, however they could not seriously threaten Tyler Lovell in the Kookaburras goal.

Goal scoring chances were proving hard to come as the Kookas tried to again seize the ascendency.

Jake Whetton and Jacob Anderson combined down the right with under 2 minutes to go in the third quarter but Wickham could not find the target with his shot, before Lovell was finally called into action to make a save from Hugo Inglis.

A break came for the Kookaburras by way of a penalty corner early in the fourth.

Jeremy Hayward duly stepped up to convert, sweeping home a powerful drag flick into the bottom corner to push the lead out to 3-1.

The Black Sticks responded immediately, earning a penalty corner of their own off the pushback but Lovell was up to the challenge, deflecting Kane Russell’s flick safely away from the net.

It was to be Lovell’s final involvement of the match, with the Kookaburras tightening the screws on a tiring New Zealand defence.

Anderson was first to pick up the rebound from a save off another Simmonds drag flick to make it 4-1.

Then Wickham netted his brace when he dived to get on the end of a searching and pinpoint circle entry from Josh Beltz.

The Kookaburras were finishing the match in a rampant mood and Brand was unlucky not have been awarded a sixth when he appeared to get a touch on a ball that finished in the back of the net but it was waved away by the umpires.

Kookaburras Head Coach Colin Batch said the squad took a lot away from its first international matches in 15 months.

“Each match had a different characteristic to overcome. The Blacksticks certainly tested us in quite a few quarters throughout the series and we were able to change the momentum of the games during the quarter breaks which helped,” said Batch.

“Tonight we started well and finished well and I can’t complain about the five goals. You’re always looking for the next advantage or some improvement and they were two really good quarters that we played, so now we need to work on playing for four quarters.

“It was certainly a step up from what we’ve had for 15 months, so it’s really pleasing with our preparation having to fly over here and get used to the conditions.

“We settled in well and we have been well looked after since we’ve been here. This squad is committed to keep improving and I think we did improve over the four games and were tested by New Zealand in a number of areas.”

Match Details
Kookaburras 5 (Ephraums 3’, Wickham 13’/54’, Hayward 48’, Anderson 53’)
New Zealand 1 (McAleese 28’)
@ Massey University Turf

Kookaburras: 5.Tom Wickham, 6.Matthew Dawson, 7.Nathan Ephraums, 9.Jacob Anderson, 10.Josh Beltz, 11.Eddie Ockenden (c), 12.Jake Whetton, 14.Dylan Martin, 15.Josh Simmonds, 16.Tim Howard, 22.Flynn Ogilvie, 23.Daniel Beale, 24.Tyler Lovell (gk), 25.Trent Mitton, 29.Tim Brand, 32.Jeremy Hayward
Unused Substitutes: 13.Blake Govers, 30.Andrew Charter (gk)

New Zealand: 3.David Brydon, 4.Dane Lett, 9.Sam Hiha, 10.Steve Edwards, 11.Jake Smith, 12.Sam Lane, 14.Jared Panchia, 15.George Enersen (gk), 17.Nic Woods, 21.Kane Russell, 22.Blair Tarrant (c), 24.Sean Findlay, 25.Shea McAleese, 27.Stephen Jenness, 28.Dominic Newman, 29.Hugo Inglis, 32.Nick Wilson
Unused Substitutes: 34.Leon Hayward (gk)