New Zealand defender Hayden Shaw and midfielder Ben Collier have been ruled out of the Black Sticks Men's team to meet Australia this week.
Both players were selected in the team last week, however Shaw has not recovered in time from a calf injury incurred during the recent Black Sticks series against Korea and Collier is still not fully rehabilitated after a rib injury suffered during the National Hockey League last month.
Shaw has been replaced by Andy Hayward (22) while Nick Haig (20), comes in for Collier. Both young players are from Canterbury.
The Black Sticks meet the Kookaburras, who are the world's number one ranked team, in Sydney on 21, 23 and 25 November.
The series continues an intensive build up to next February's Olympic Qualifying Tournament at North Harbour from 2 to 10 February 2008.
Preparation for the tournament includes a number of tests against Chile, Japan and China in January, before going into camp at Albany on 25 January. Both Shaw and Collier are expected to be back in action for the series.
Only the winner of the six-strong Olympic Qualifying Tournament will qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Black Sticks team:
Ryan Archibald, Gareth Brooks, Simon Child, Dean Couzins, Bevan Hari, Paul Woolford, James Nation, Nick Haig, Andy Hayward, Bryce Collins, Steve Edwards, Blair Hopping, Dave Kosoof, Casey Henwood, Lloyd Stephenson, Richard Petherick, Phil Burrows, Kyle Pontifex.
Source: Hockey NZ
