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Otago Daily Times
12-08-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Four from Otago in Black Sticks
Finn Ward. Photos: supplied Otago still has a solid presence in the latest Black Sticks men's squad. Hockey New Zealand yesterday announced the squad for the Oceania Cup in Darwin next month. Otago players Benji Culhane, Malachi Buschl and brothers Finn and Patrick Ward have kept their places after helping New Zealand win the Nations Cup in Kuala Lumpur in June. Finn Ward made his debut at that tournament, while brother Patrick was initially there as a travelling reserve but got a chance to play as the Black Sticks thumped Pakistan 6-2 in the final. Two players will be on debut at the Oceania Cup. Matthew Ruetsch is a Swiss-born goalkeeper, and Bradley Rothwell is a defender from Whakatane. Both the newcomers played for the Mavericks in the new Premier Hockey League last year. Patrick Ward. It will be the 13th edition of the Oceania Cup with tests on September 4, 6 and 7. Usually, the three-test series determines automatic qualification for the FIH Hockey World Cup. The twist this time is that the Black Sticks have already secured a 2026 World Cup spot thanks to Australia's earlier qualification through the Pro League, meaning both teams will compete at the pinnacle event next year regardless of the outcome in Darwin. Nevertheless, it will be a valuable opportunity for world No 10 New Zealand to see how they fare against the world No 5 Australians. Black Sticks Oceania Cup squad Benji Culhane, Brad Read, Bradley Rothwell, Charlie Morrison, Dane Lett, Dom Dixon, Dylan Thomas, George Baker, Finn Ward, Isaac Houlbrooke, Joe Morrison, Malachi Buschl, Matthew Ruetsch, Patrick Ward, Sam Hiha, Sam Lane, Scott Boyde, Sean Findlay, Simon Yorston.
Otago Daily Times
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
NZ men reach semifinal
Finn Ward of the Black Sticks during their Nations Cup game against Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. PHOTO: SUPPLIED The Black Sticks men pulled off another remarkable comeback at the Nations Cup in Malaysia yesterday. The New Zealanders fought back from 3-1 down at halftime to beat Pakistan 4-3 in their final pool game. That made it three wins from three in pool play. They finish top of pool B and will play Korea in a semifinal tomorrow morning (NZ time). New Zealand came out firing and dominated the opening minutes yesterday. The pressure paid off early, Nic Woods converting a penalty corner flick to give his side the lead. But Pakistan responded in style. They took control of the midfield, forcing turnovers and countering hard, and their defence was solid, shutting down every circle entry. Three unanswered goals put Pakistan in charge going into halftime. The third quarter was all Black Sticks, however. After several penalty corner chances were denied, Scott Cosslett finally broke through with a powerful flick. Just a minute later, he did it again, and the two goals in quick succession had the game at 3-3 heading into the final quarter. Cosslett was not done. Six minutes into the fourth, he scored from a penalty corner to complete his hat-trick. There were more chances to extend the lead — a rocket from Sean Findlay and a diving effort from Finn Ward were denied by some outstanding goalkeeping from Pakistan. Ward was making his third appearance for the Black Sticks and was joined by brother Patrick, who was activated from the travelling reserves due to illness to team-mate Gus Nelson. Fellow Otago players Benji Culhane and Malachi Buschl also saw some action. — APL
Otago Daily Times
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Otago's Ward helps Black Sticks to stunning comeback win
Black Sticks huddle before their game against Malaysia at the Nations Cup. PHOTO: SUPPLIED One goal was not enough for Finn Ward. The rising Otago hockey star helped himself to two in just in his second international appearance as New Zealand completed a stunning comeback in the Nations Cup this morning. The Black Sticks fought back from 3-0 down to shock host nation Malaysia 4-3. A 40-minute delay due to thunder and lightning in previous games obviously did not shake Ward or the Black Sticks. Malaysia had the better of the chances in the opening quarter in Kuala Lumpur, but Dom Dixon stood tall in the New Zealand goal, keeping the game scoreless. The second quarter featured little attacking play from either side as they engaged in an arm wrestle through the middle of the pitch, but Malaysia capitalised on a rare opportunity to take a 1-0 lead. In the final 30 seconds of the first half, New Zealand earned four consecutive penalty corners. Despite the pressure, the Malaysian defence held firm. Malaysia came out firing in the third quarter, scoring two quick goals — one from a stroke being awarded off a penalty corner and another from a field goal – to take a 3-0 lead. But the Black Sticks were not done. Ward, who made his debut in the opening win over Japan, got New Zealand on the board with his first international goal, a tidy deflection past the keeper. Moments later, Malaysia went down to 10 players with a yellow card, and Black Sticks coach Greg Nicol made a courageous call to take his keeper off to create an overlap with two extra players. It paid off when Simon Yorston found the back of the net off a penalty corner deflection to bring it to 3-2 heading into the final quarter. Within the first minute of the fourth quarter, Sean Findlay scored off a broken penalty corner play to level it 3-3. Less than two minutes later, Ward fired a brilliant ball into the circle for a slick Sam Hiha touch into the net to make it four goals in eight minutes and secure victory. It means the Black Sticks have locked in a semifinal spot, but the opposition is yet to be decided. Their next game, against Pakistan tomorrow night, will determine who finishes top of pool B and plays second place in pool A.
Otago Daily Times
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Finn Ward's turn — with brother Patrick in the mix
PHOTO: ODT FILES Otago hockey star Finn Ward has been named in the Black Sticks and his brother Patrick has been named as a back-up. Patrick has played for the Black Sticks previously, but Finn will be on debut. He is joined in the Black Sticks squad by Otago team-mates Malachi Buschl and Benji Culhane. Patrick has been named as a travelling reserve. The team will contest the 2025 Nations Cup in Kuala Lumpur from June 15-21. The Black Sticks, who won the tournament last year, return with a fresh opportunity to build on that momentum and push for top honours again. Coach Greg Nicol has named a squad that blends international experience with exciting young talent, including three debutants: Louis Beckert, Gus Nelson and Finn Ward. Their inclusion reflects the depth and development coming through the New Zealand hockey pathway. ''This is a great opportunity to expose new talent to international tournament hockey,'' Nicol said. ''Our focus is to keep building on last year's performance, playing a bold style of hockey and continuing to grow as a group.'' Dylan Thomas and Patrick Ward will also travel with the team as reserves. The last time the Black Sticks played a test match was during the Paris Olympics last August. This tournament is a valuable opportunity to represent New Zealand on a world stage and to build connections in preparation for Oceania Cup later this year. Black Sticks 2025 Nations Cup Louis Beckert, Dom Dixon, Scott Cosslett, Benji Culhane, Charlie Morrison, Brad Read, Simon Yorston, Malachi Buschl, Sean Findlay, Gus Nelson, Hayden Phillips, Nic Woods, Finn Ward, George Baker, Scott Boyde, Jonty Elmes, Sam Hiha, Sam Lane, Dylan Thomas (TR), Patrick Ward (TR). Schedule June 15, v Japan June 17, v Malaysia June 18, v Pakistan June 20, semifinals June 21, final
