Latest news with #OceaniaCup
Otago Daily Times
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Closet Kiwi excited about call-up to Black Sticks
They claim Rebecca Gibney, Russell Crowe, Keith Urban and Jane Campion. But we have nabbed one back. Rookie Black Stick Nina Murphy is a fair dinkum Aussie. She is a Gold Coast girl. She has the faded tan and twang to show for it. But the 19-year-old has parents from Palmerston North, and that makes her as Kiwi as jandals rather than thongs. This year, she shifted over to study health science at the University of Otago. While her education was the main reason for the move, hockey remains important to her. "I came over here with the intention to continue playing hockey and to keep trying," she said. "Back in Australia, I was playing hockey quite competitively as well. So I definitely wanted to keep doing that. "But obviously, I had no idea what was going to happen with it and definitely wasn't expecting a Black Sticks call-up." Murphy has represented Australia at under-18 level, and the midfielder impressed for the Alpiners during the junior hockey league. It was during that tournament she caught the attention of the national selectors. That tournament also helped reignite her spark. "Playing a different style of hockey, I don't know, it has just kind of got me excited about it all over again." The selectors are excited, too. Murphy was named in the Black Sticks squad to tour the United States. The first of three tests is on July 3. The series is an important part of the preparation for the Oceania Cup, where the Black Sticks will battle Australia for direct qualification to the 2026 Hockey World Cup. Should Murphy do well, she could find herself playing against her country. "I need to earn my spot in the team before even thinking about making the call back for that sort of tournament because, obviously, I'm fresh to the team and this will be my debut. "So my focus will be just this American trip and trying to play the best I can." That said, she has enjoyed connecting with her heritage and has been a longtime closet Kiwi. "I've always sort of had like a calling. Sounds a bit cliched, but a calling towards New Zealand. "I always felt somewhat like a New Zealander. When New Zealand would play Australia in sport — like the All Blacks versus the Wallabies — I'd always support the All Blacks." And that, of course, is the ultimate litmus test when it comes to national allegiance. Well, that, and eating pavlova while listening to Crowded House.
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
The Independent
08-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Ireland vs France referee: Who is Six Nations official Angus Gardner?
Australia's Angus Gardner takes charge of the crucial clash between Ireland and France on the penultimate weekend of the Six Nations. The 39-year-old official took charge of fixtures at the World Cup in the autumn of 2023 having made his tournament debut as an assistant in England in 2015 before stepping up to the refereeing panel four years later in Japan. He was selected to oversee the semi-final between New Zealand and Argentina at the Stade de France, his first knockout appointment, establishing him as one of the world's leading officials. Born in Sydney, Gardner took up refereeing at the age of 15. He made his Super Rugby debut in 2012, officiating an encounter between the Melbourne Rebels and Queensland Reds. By that stage, he had already made an international debut – in November 2011, Gardner took charge of an Oceania Cup match between Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu in Port Moresby. A Tier One debut followed five years later, setting Gardner on a pathway to refereeing matches at the 2019 World Cup. Match officials for Ireland v France in Dublin Referee: Angus Gardner (Aus) Television Match Official: Ian Tempest (Eng)
