Tokyo 2020 - Kookaburras v New Zealand Preview

Kookaburras Head Coach Colin Batch has warned familiarity could be a curse when it comes to his side’s penultimate Pool match against Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in Tokyo tonight.

The ANZAC nations have relied solely on each other for pre-Olympic match practice due to COVID border closures, and while Australia has notched six straight wins, they won’t be underestimating their Kiwi rivals.

In what is a replay of the 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medal match, Australia goes into this match with top billing after three straight wins, while New Zealand secured a win against Spain (4-3), draw with Japan (2-2) and loss to India (3-2).

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Tokyo 2020 Hockey - full schedule and results

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Men’s Hockey
Kookaburras v New Zealand
Wednesday 28 July 2021
Oi Stadium, Tokyo
Start time: 9:15pm local (10:15pm AEST)
Broadcast: LIVE on 7Plus

Kookaburras v New Zealand - Overall Record
Played 151; Kookaburras 112, Draws 20, New Zealand 19
Last time they met
27-Jun-21 FIH Pro League (Perth)
Kookaburras 2 (Ephraums 11', Govers 40')
New Zealand 0

Kookaburras squad: 1.Lachlan Sharp, 2.Tom Craig, 5.Tom Wickham, 6.Matthew Dawson, 10.Josh Beltz, 11.Eddie Ockenden, 12.Jake Whetton, 13.Blake Govers, 14.Dylan Martin, 15.Josh Simmonds, 16.Tim Howard, 17.Aran Zalewski, 22.Flynn Ogilvie, 23.Daniel Beale, 25.Trent Mitton, 29.Tim Brand, 30.Andrew Charter (gk), 32.Jeremy Hayward
 
Kookaburras Schedule (full hockey competition schedule)
Friday 30 July (10.00am local, 11.00am AEST)
Kookaburras v Spain