6 Dec 2009

Black Sticks not in great shape ahead of Champs Challenge

3:05 pm on 6 December 2009

The New Zealand men's hockey coach Shane McLeod says their form in the lead-up to the Champions Challenge tournament in Argentina isn't a concern.

The Black Sticks lost twice to Argentina and drew with Canada, while their final warm-up match against Pakistan was washed out.

McLeod says he's been trying to give everyone a run and that's meant the younger players such as strikers Blair Hilton and Hugo Inglis are starting their apprenticeships.

The Black Sticks play India on Monday morning.