Tasmanian defender Josh Beltz has overcome a finger injury in time to stake a claim for his spot in the Kookaburras’ FIH Pro League campaign next month.
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The Kookaburras will meet World Cup finalists Netherlands and Belgium in Melbourne before travelling to Beltz’s hometown of Hobart to meet Germany on February 10.
The 23-year-old has been out of action since breaking his finger at the 2018 World Cup in India late last year but is determined to represent the country in his home state for the first time.
“I’d love to play,” Beltz said.
“It’s always good playing in Tassie whether it be for club or state - I’ve never played internationally there so that’d be really, really special.
“I’m doing everything I can, I’m working hard so hopefully I can make the team.”
Hobart had been expected to host two Kookaburras matches but was dealt a blow last week when it was announced that Pakistan had been ejected from the FIH Pro League.
The move came after Pakistan Hockey Association informed the FIH it would be unable to play its opening three fixtures against Argentina, Australia and New Zealand due to ‘inevitable circumstances’.
But the news has done little to dampen Beltz’s enthusiasm for the new competition, with the 2016 Champions Trophy gold medallist keen to start the year against the world’s best.
“It’s a new format that no one has played before, the coaches or staff haven’t seen it before,” he said.
“It’s a bit of an unknown but that brings energy and excitement – everyone is really looking forward to giving it a red hot crack.
“Getting to play those quality European oppositions so early in the year is going to be really good, I think we want to get a bit of revenge on the Dutch on home soil.
“Playing against Belgium, the world champions, there’s no better team to play.
“We’ll looking forward to getting out there and seeing what we can do.”
The Kookaburras and Hockeyroos will begin their FIH Pro League campaigns against the Netherlands in a double-header next Saturday, with clashes against Belgium to follow the next day.
They will then fly to Tasmania for a week-long camp beginning February 4.