The 262 test veteran Phil Burrows has been dropped as captain of the New Zealand men's hockey team ahead of next month's Champions Trophy tournament.
The Black Sticks coach Shane McLeod has appointed Dean Couzins to the role, saying they need to develop the culture of the team if they're perform well at the Olympics next year.
Burrows has led the side for the past three years and McLeod says he remains a valuable senior member of the team.
The squad for the top eight tournament is one of New Zealand's most experienced with average of 118 caps while Burrows, Couzins, Blair Hopping and former skipper Ryan Archibald, all have well over 200.
The Black Sticks are ranked seventh and McLeod says playing at home for the first time at Champions Trophy level will really help.
Squad: Andy Hayward, Simon Child, Blair Hopping, Dean Couzins (c), Blair Hilton, Bradley Shaw, Stephen Graham, Kyle Pontifex, Phillip Burrows, Blair Tarrant,Shea McAleese (v/c), Matt L'Huillier, Stephen Jenness, Shay Neal, Hugo Inglis, Ryan Archibald, Steve Edwards, Nick Wilson.
