NZ hockey coach happy with call By JONATHAN MILLMOW
New Zealand hockey coach Kevin Towns has no issue with his senior players after they went against assistant coach Charlie Oscroft's recommendation for the last penalty corner against Australia on Saturday.
With the final hooter having sounded and New Zealand down 4-3, Oscroft called a variation to the right but captain Simon Towns and penalty corner specialist Hayden Shaw opted for a high flick.
Shaw's strike whistled over the goal and with it went the Olympic-qualifying Oceania Cup series.
"Charlie felt the flick should have gone low, Simon Towns decided it should be a flick and Hayden Shaw decided where it would go," the coach said.
"Charlie was a bit upset but he got over it and I've got no grumbles.
"The players are playing the game and when it comes down to it they have a choice."
Towns was less happy with the quality of his star's flicking in Wellington and New Zealand went scoreless from nine penalty corners in Wellington, seven of which Shaw struck.
Another was not trapped properly and the other resulted in a mix-up between Shaw and David Kosoof.
Shaw also struggled against Canada in Wellington earlier in the year and Towns felt the quicker turf was tripping him up.
"It's not a bogey turf for him but it is taking some getting used to.
"It is not coming off his stick right."