The Black Sticks co-captain Kayla Sharland says winning the first round of the Four Nations hockey tournament in Auckland last night is ideal preparation in an olympic year.
The Black Sticks clinched the title after a 3-2 victory over Australia, who they had lost to in pool play.
Sharland says having a sudden death tournament, simulates the kind of format they'll be playing in at the Olympics.
A second Four Nations tournament starts tomorrow and it's expected coach Mark Hager will bring a few new players into the fold.
