Nick Budgeon
LAUNCESTON hockey player Nick Budgeon has made a goal-scoring start to his international career.
The 25-year-old was called up to the Kookaburras team for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia and took just two games to get his name on the scoresheet.
Budgeon, who began his playing career with Tamar Churinga before winning a Northern premiership with Launceston City, claimed a penalty corner goal to complete a 6-0 rout over Pakistan, endorsing his Tasmanian coach Andrew McDonald's belief that he could replace Chris Ciriello as the national team's flick specialist.
The former Prospect High and Launceston College student is one of five debutants in coach Ric Charlesworth's new-look team for a tournament Australia has won six times.
The world champion leads the standings after two humid days, Budgeon's goal coming after strikes from Daniel Mirecki, Matt Gohdes, Daniel Beale and a Jacob Whetton double.
Australia had begun its campaign with a 4-3 win over India in Ipoh when Gohdes (two), Glenn Simpson and Trent Mitton were on the scoresheet.
The tournament ends on Sunday.