Kookaburras make winning return

May 28, 2021 Hassn Badr

27 May 2021

Palmerston North, New Zealand

Kookaburras make winning return

There may have been 446 days since their last international but the Kookaburras resumed where they left off, defeating New Zealand 3-1 in the opening match of the Trans-Tasman Series in Palmerston North.

In what was their first match since beating Argentina on 7 March 2020, the Kookaburras’ class eventually shone out in a tight contest against the Blacksticks.

After a scoreless first half, Tim Brand gave Australia a 39^th minute lead before Sean Findlay equalised for the hosts in the 54^th minute to set up an intriguing finale.

But goals in the final four minutes from Trent Mitton and then Tom Wickham ensured Dylan Martin’s debut and Lachlan Sharp’s 50^th Kookaburras appearance would end in style.

The Kookaburras had the better of the opening 30 minutes, forcing Blacksticks goalkeeper Leon Hayward (brother of Kookaburras defender Jeremy) into several reflex saves.

But the defences were managing to do their job at both ends as it remained goaless at the main break.

Daniel Beale was influential in midfield and his no look pass allowed Brand to capitalise and break the deadlock.

However, the Black Sticks responded when 19 year old Findlay pounced to square it up at 1-1.

With minutes ticking away to full time, a Mitton tap in and a clinical finish from Wickham sealed a 3-1 victory.

"We're just pleased to be here. It was awesome to be back on the field," said Kookaburras co-captain Eddie Ockenden post match.

"We did OK in the second half, so a good start. We've been training for a long time, so to play an international match is good. The tempo was a big step up from training which is why we're here."

Match 2 of the series is tomorrow.

Match Details

Kookaburras 3 (Brand 39’, Mitton 57’, Wickham 60’)

New Zealand 1 (Findlay 54’)

@ Massey University Turf

Kookaburras: 1.Lachlan Sharp, 4.Jake Harvie, 5.Tom Wickham, 6.Matthew Dawson, 10.Josh Beltz, 11.Eddie Ockenden (c), 12.Jake Whetton, 13.Blake Govers, 14.Dylan Martin, 15.Josh Simmonds, 22.Flynn Ogilvie, 23.Daniel Beale, 25.Trent Mitton, 29.Tim Brand, 30.Andrew Charter (gk), 32.Jeremy Hayward

Unused Substitutes: 7.Nathan Ephraums, 24.Tyler Lovell (gk)

New Zealand: 2.Oliver MacIntyre, 4.Dane Lett, 7.Nick Ross, 9.Sam Hiha, 10.Steve Edwards, 11.Jake Smith, 15.George Enersen (gk), 17.Nic Woods, 21.Kane Russell, 22.Blair Tarrant (c), 23.Dylan Thomas, 24.Sean Findlay, 25.Shea McAleese, 27.Stephen Jenness, 29.Hugo Inglis, 30.George Muir, 32.Nick Wilson, 34.Leon Hayward (gk)

ENDS

Kookaburras squad for Sentinel Homes Trans-Tasman Series v New Zealand

Name	Date of Birth	State	Caps (Goals)
Jacob Anderson	22/03/1997	Mackay, QLD	23 (9)
Daniel Beale	12/02/1993	Brisbane, QLD	178 (28)
Josh Beltz	24/04/1995	Hobart, TAS	42 (3)
Tim Brand	29/11/1998	Chatswood, NSW	41 (17)
Andrew Charter (gk)	30/03/1987	Canberra, ACT	182 (0)
Tom Craig	3/09/1995	Lane Cove, NSW	101 (29)
Matthew Dawson	7/04/1994	Killarney Vale, NSW	141 (12)
Nathan Ephraums	9/06/1999	Keysborough, VIC	4 (0)
Blake Govers	6/07/1996	Wollongong, NSW	99 (85)
Jake Harvie	5/03/1998	Dardanup, WA	71 (3)
Jeremy Hayward	3/03/1993	Darwin, NT	157 (65)
Tim Howard	23/06/1996	Wakerley, QLD	61 (1)
Tyler Lovell (gk)	23/05/1987	Perth, WA	145 (0)
Dylan Martin	12/01/1998	Wagga Wagga, NSW	1 (0)
Trent Mitton	26/11/1990	Perth, WA	174 (80)
Eddie Ockenden	3/04/1987	Hobart, TAS	367 (71)
Flynn Ogilvie	17/09/1993	Wollongong, NSW	110 (21)
Lachlan Sharp	2/07/1997	Lithgow, NSW	50 (11)
Josh Simmonds	4/10/1995	Melbourne, VIC	20 (1)
Jake Whetton	16/06/1991	Brisbane, QLD	204 (64)
Tom Wickham	26/05/1990	Perth, WA	55 (25)
Aran Zalewski	21/03/1991	Margaret River, WA	191 (25)