'We want to make the top six then push really hard for those semi-final spots and onwards to a medal,’ says Dean Couzins, captain of the New Zealand men’s team. They play their first match on Sunday June 1 against Korea in the GreenFields Stadium. The New Zealand women kick off their campaign on Saturday, the first day of the tournament, against Belgium.

The Black Sticks women are currently fifth in the world ranking and determined to better their World Cup best – fourth in Amstelveen in 1986 – in The Hague this year. The team have taken part in six World Cups and were fourth at the London Olympics in 2012.  The men are sixth in the world rankings and were ninth in both the London Olympics and the last World Cup.

Changing room rituals
Dean Couzins thinks his team will do better this time round. ‘We have a hardworking attitude and we work well together,’ he says. ‘We’re close both on and off the pitch so we have fun and enjoy each others’ company.’ That team spirit is as essential as their pre-match rituals. ‘Whenever we get together in the changing room before a game we put on some good music so the boys can relax and get focused for the game,’ Couzins says.

World Cup app and Facebook
Want to know more about the New Zealand teams ? Download the World Cup app (App Store or Google play) or go to our Facebook page which this week focuses on New Zealand. There you can check out the video ‘This is New Zealand!’, featuring the captains and different players. You can find more extensive information on the website via the country pages.

New Zealand in the Netherlands
Both New Zealand teams will be hosted by hockey club HGC in Wassenaar, near The Hague, during the World Cup.