HOCKEY TASMANIA Online

The Kookaburras have joined fellow tournament favourites Germany and the Netherlands in the winners circle after a two goal victory against host nation Malaysia overnight on day one of the 2007 Samsung Champions Trophy.

Congratulations and best wishes from all in the Tasmanian Hockey community to our three Australian stars, Matthew Wells, David Guest and Eddie Ockenden, members of the Kookaburras team to compete for the 2007 Champions Trophy.
Matthew goes into this tournament as one of the most experienced team members, having notched up 206 internationals; David has now earned 52 caps after playing in his 50th international last weekend in Sydney in a Test match against New Zealand; and as the youngest team member in his first full year with the Kookaburras, Eddie has played in 30 internationals.

The Kookaburras have recently competed in a competitive three test series against New Zealand in preparation for the 2007 Samsung Champions Trophy.

The series allowed the national team to come together as a unit and provided great preparation for the Champions Trophy tournament.

The Kookaburras have denied New Zealand their first series win against the men's team in over 40 years, scoring three second half goals to tie up the match and the series after three consecutive draws.

The Kookaburras have once again been tested by their New Zealand counterparts, drawing with the Black Sticks for the second match in a row in game two of the current three test series.

The Kookaburras have been unable to continue their winning streak against New Zealand following a thrilling three all draw in game one of the three game series.

Sporting rivalry between Australia and our Tasman neighbours, New Zealand, has been fierce across a wide variety of sports for decades.

This competition for bragging rights shows no sign of slowing down as the 2004 Olympic Champions, the Kookaburras go head to head with the New Zealand Black Sticks in a three game series.