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Black Sticks captain Phil Burrows - Source: Photosport -
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New Zealand men's hockey captain Phil Burrows is hoping the Black Sticks can "do an All Whites" at the upcoming Champions Trophy.
Coach Shane McLeod's men are fresh off a 3-0 clean sweep over France in their final build-up ahead of the Champions Trophy in Monchengladbach, Germany which begins on Sunday night (NZ time).
While the Black Sticks are at the foot of the Champions Trophy rankings, Burrows told tvnz.co.nz they plan to prove that sometimes statistics lie.
"We have to face the facts that we're the bottom ranked team at the Champions Trophy but that's just the way it is," he said.
"The All Whites have just proven if you have passion anything is possible, so why can't we do the same?"
The Black Sticks begin their campaign at the six-nation tournament against hosts Germany in what Burrows is tipping to be one of the toughest games he's ever played.
"It's going to be a really tough tournament, especially in Europe. They're pretty fanatic about their hockey in Germany."
The Black Sticks have targeted a top four finish at the Champions Trophy, which will be an indicator as to how the side is heading leading into the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
"I'm really looking forward to the Commonwealth Games in October and we definitely want to bring home some silverware.
"The last Commonwealth Games I thought we really underachieved. We were a medal prospect for sure but had one bad game against England that cost us a medal."
Burrows, currently one of world hockey's finest strikers, missed game time earlier this year through injury.
He was forced to sit out most of the World Cup due to a painful calf injury he picked up in New Zealand's second game of the tournament against Netherlands.
"I would've liked to play a bit more over the past few months but you get injured and can't do much about it."
Now fully recovered and in top shape, Burrows is ready for the challenging road ahead.
"We want to peak for the Commonwealth Games definitely, but in saying that we want to be full on for the Champions Trophy as well.
"There are some great teams there and if we have a bad day we'll really get a hammering."
New Zealand joins Germany, Netherlands, Spain, England and Australia at the Champions Trophy tournament.
