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Black Sticks' Nick Haig - Source: HNZ/Photosport -
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New Zealand coach Shane McLeod has widened his selection net for the Champions Challenge international men's hockey tournament in Argentina on December 6-13.
McLeod has named a squad containing three players not required when New Zealand won the World Cup qualifying tournament in Invercargill last weekend.
North Harbour defender Joseph Bartholomew, 21, and Wellington striker Blair Hilton, 20, who have both played only five games for New Zealand, join Nick Haig, who was in Invercargill as cover for Hayden Shaw but was not called upon.
Baretholomew and Hilton have both earned five caps for their country while Haig, 21, has already played 30 matches for New Zealand.
Their selections have allowed the Shaw brothers, Hayden and Brad, both defenders, to stay at home to fulfil their work commitments as teachers.
"Looking to 2010 we have a heavy year and so this is not only an opportunity to rest players but also give international experience to more athletes so that when it comes time to select our World Cup side we are in a good position," McLeod said.
The World Cup is in New Delhi, India, in February-March.
Midlands 18-year-old striker Hugo Inglis has kept his place after making his debut in the World Cup qualifying tournament.
The Champions Challenge features the eight teams ranked behind the elite top six.
The winners will gain automatic promotion to the elite Champions Trophy next July-August in Germany.
The competing sides are Pakistan (ranked seventh), New Zealand (eighth), Belgium (ninth), Argentina (10th), Canada (11th), India (12th), China (13th) and South Africa (15th).
The New Zealand squad is:
Joseph Bartholomew (North Harbour), Nick Haig (Canterbury), Andrew
Hayward (Midlands), Simon Child (Auckland), Blair Hopping (North
Harbour), Dean Couzins (Auckland), Ryan Archibald (Auckland), Blair
Hilton (Wellington), Stephen Graham (Midlands), Kyle Pontifex
(Wellington), Phil Burrows (Wellington), Arun Panchia (Auckland),
Shea McAleese (Central), Richard Petherick (Midlands), Hugo Inglis
(Midlands), Ben Collier (North Harbour), Steve Edwards (North
Harbour), Nick Wilson (North Harbour).
