Rintala hat-trick fires Kookaburras past Black Sticks
Published Tue 25 Apr 2023
A three-goal burst from Joel Rintala in just his second international has propelled the Kookaburras to a commanding 3-0 win over New Zealand in their FIH Pro League match in Christchurch this afternoon.
Rintala put on a drag flicking masterclass, the Queenslander’s hat-trick all coming from penalty corners in the space of 21 first half minutes.
The Kookaburras dominated the goal scoring chances throughout the contest but could not add further to the scoreline as they rebounded from their defeat to Great Britain in resounding fashion.
Rintala’s first goal came in the 3rd minute after Ben Staines earned the Kookaburras’ first penalty corner of the match.
Great defensive lead running from Jake Whetton blocked the Black Sticks’ first penalty corner opportunity, before he combined with James Collins and Aran Zalewski at the other end to conjure an opportunity but it was kept out by goalkeeper Dominic Dixon.
Then within the space of two second quarter minutes Rintala had a hat-trick as he executed two thunderous drag flicks to blow the game open.
The Black Sticks were just failing to connect with crucial passes inside their attacking 25, preventing them to seriously threaten the Kookaburras goal.
Staines twice went close to adding a fourth with six minutes to go in the third quarter before the Kookaburras survived a New Zealand penalty corner in the shadows of three quarter time.
A streaming Ky Willott on the right sent the ball into Craig Marais but he could not direct his shot on target as the Kookaburras looked to add to their tally in the last quarter.
Blood was spilt in the last five minutes as a diving Nathan Ephraums showed his desperation, attempting to pounce on a rebound from a save, the ball ricocheting into his forehead to leave him with a cut above the eye.
Staines then went inches from topping off the win as he cannoned a drag flick into the post, the Kookaburras made to settle for a 3-0 result.
“It was pretty pleasing to get the job done and score today,” said a nonchalant Rintala post match.
“We worked on some things that we didn’t do so well the other day against Great Britain so it was good to secure the win.”
The Kookaburras will now prepare to take on Great Britain for the second time of this FIH Pro League ‘mini tournament’ on Saturday.
The FIH Pro League series in Christchurch is broadcast on FOX Sports and Kayo.
Match Details
New Zealand 0
Kookaburras 3 (Rintala 3’/22’/24’)
@ Nga Puna Wai Hockey Stadium, Christchurch
Kookaburras: 1.Lachlan Sharp, 4.Jake Harvie, 7.Nathan Ephraums, 8.Johan Durst (gk), 10.Josh Beltz, 11.Eddie Ockenden, 12.Jake Whetton, 15.Jayden Atkinson, 16.Tim Howard, 17.Aran Zalewski, 19.Craig Marais, 20.Ky Willott, 23.Daniel Beale (c), 26.James Collins, 27.Joel Rintala, 30.Andrew Charter (gk), 36.Anand Gupte, 44.Ben Staines
Unused substitute:
