The Australian Kookaburras men’s hockey team have scored a comfortable 3–1 win over New Zealand, to claim the Oceania Cup, in Invercargill, New Zealand on 28 August. The victory guarantees the Kookaburras a place at the 2010 World Cup, taking place in New Delhi from 28 November to 6 December.

New Zealand had a good start with Nick Wilson scoring the first goal of the game. But the Kookaburras hit back strongly, with Olympic gold medallist Grant Schubert scoring two goals before the half-time siren.

The Kookaburras retained possession in the second half and made frequent attacks, but New Zealand got their momentum back and a drag flick from Hayden Shaw, one minute before the bell, only narrowly missing the post. The Kookaburras replied with Jamie Dwyer’s cracking strike from a penalty corner, nailing the final goal of the game for a 3–1 victory.

The Kookaburras now have their sights set on the ABN AMRO Hockey Champions Trophy, which will be played in Melbourne from 28 November to 6 December.

The Hockeyroos, the Australian women’s hockey team, also took on New Zealand in the women’s final of the Oceania Cup but, after a tight battle, were defeated 4–3 in a penalty shootout. They will now be looking for World Cup qualification through a separate tournament, to be announced soon by the International Hockey Federation.