A DOMINANT PERFORMANCE IN 9TH PLAYOFF MATCH BY THE MEN

The Vantage Black Sticks Men have finished the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in ninth place after a commanding 6-3 victory over Ireland in their final match in Wavre.

However, before the hockey got underway, the action was paused to recognise Nic Woods for reaching 200 international matches. An incredible achievement for the Black Sticks defender.

New Zealand came out firing and dominated the opening quarter, with Kane Russell converting two penalty corners creating a 2-0 lead.

The momentum continued in the second quarter, with George Baker producing an outstanding backfoot strike from the top of the circle before Sam Lane added a superb upright reverse-stick finish to put the Vantage Black Sticks 4-0 ahead at halftime.

Ireland responded strongly after the break, pulling two goals back in the third quarter to bring the game back to 4-2. However, the Vantage Black Sticks quickly restored their three-goal advantage in the final quarter, with Lane finishing a well-worked deflection at the back post after a Finn Ward reverse hit across goal.

New Zealand then produced one of the goals of the tournament on the counterattack, moving the ball from their own defensive end to the back of the net in just seven seconds, with three pinpoint passes ending with Ward finishing the move to make it 6-2.

Ireland added a final goal, but the Vantage Black Sticks held on for an emphatic 6-3 victory and ninth place at the World Cup.

While a place in the top eight was the ultimate target, Head Coach Greg Nicol was proud of the performance.

“Our target was top eight so disappointed not to quite get there, but we played some great hockey across the six matches. We won four, lost two and scored 21 goals in the tournament, pretty satisfied and still more to come in the future,” said Nicol.

With the 2026 World Cup now complete, the Vantage Black Sticks turn their attention to the next phase of their programme as they continue to build towards the next cycle.

New Zealand Goal Scorers: MEN

3' Kane Russell - Penalty Corner Goal

14' Kane Russell - Penalty Corner Goal

21' George Baker - Field Goal

26' Sam Lane - Field Goal

46' Sam Lane - Field Goal

58' Finn Ward - Field Goal