Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Sport: Australia Country still see value in Oceania Pacific Cup

Posted at 20:13 on 07 December, 2012 UTC

The captain of the Australia Country men’s hockey team, Zach Nelson, says it’s an honour for his team to compete at the Oceania Pacific Cup tournament each year.

The men’s team finished runners-up last year with the Australia women’s team claiming the gold medal.

While the Pacific countries are focusing more on the new World League tournament, being played at the same time, Zach Nelson believes the Pacific Cup still has its place.

“Fiji in particular is a really strong side and they play a lot of really good hockey. In previous years they’ve beaten us and finished above us at the end of the tournament. For us to get to play against sides like that, which are actually their top side, it means a lot to us. It’s nothing like just a hit out or anything like that - it means a lot to come out and play good hockey and try and knock them over.”

The Australia Country men take on Vanuatu in their first game tomorrow, with the women involved in a practice match this afternoon.