It seems there may be a cleanout of the New Zealand women's hockey team for the upcoming home series against Argentina.
Black Sticks coach Mark Hager slammed his players after the Black Sticks' 4-3 loss to Japan in extra time of their fifth place playoff at the Champions Trophy at Rosario, in Argentina.
The Black Sticks conceded two soft goals early on before fighting back to level the game 3-3 at full-time, however Japan made the most of more weak New Zealand defence to score the golden goal and seal the match.
Hager has had enough of what he labelled his players' poor defence and attitude and could barely contain his fury after the loss on Waitangi Day.
He had been pleased with the New Zealanders' progress at the tournament despite some disappointing results but now maintains there will be changes as he has to increase the depth.
Hager says there are four or five world class players in his side and the rest seem to coast and rely on them rather than doing the hard work themselves.
