A debut goal to new cap Sophie Cocks proved a winner as the Black Sticks downed Australia 3-2 in an Oceania Cup women's hockey match in Stratford.
The 19-year-old striker capitalised on an Australian error at the back with 10 minutes remaining to give world No.3 New Zealand a hard-earned win over sixth-ranked Australia.
Black Sticks coach Mark Hager gave all three debutantes Liz Thompson, Brooke Neal and Cocks plenty of game time in a match which was tied 2-2 at halftime.
Hager said it was pleasing to open the Oceania Cup campaign with a win, but there was still a long way to go.
"It was a little bit scrappy, both teams didn't handle the turf very well. They applied a lot of pressure and we struggled to get the ball out of the back at times and that's something to work on for our next game," he said.
"It was good for all three girls on debut to get out on the pitch and all three showed signs that they belong at this level."
The New Zealanders started strongly, Gemma Flynn opening the scoring in the seventh minute after a sweetly timed Petrea Webster pass split the Australian defence.
Australia battled back, and equalised from a 25th minute penalty corner when Anna Flanagan's powerful shot deflected off a New Zealand stick and into the net.
The Black Sticks lost a little accuracy as the first half progressed, the Australians ratcheting up the midfield pressure. But it was a defensive turnover in front of goal from youngster Rhiannon Dennison that proved most costly.
Brooke Peris pounced, driving hard to goal and slamming a well-placed reverse stick shot home.
The Kiwis hit back in the shadow of halftime, Kayla Sharland finding Petrea Webster from a penalty corner on the back post for the equaliser.
Rain turned the second half into an arm-wrestle of misplaced passing and turnovers from both teams, but Cocks slotted home the winner and the New Zealand defence held strong until the final whistle.
Earlier in the day, the New Zealand men rolled to an 18-0 win over Papua New Guinea, striker Stephen Jenness running rampant in scoring six goals while Hugo Inglis and Jared Panchia both notched up hat-tricks.
The New Zealand men play Australia on Thursday, while the women meet Papua New Guinea.
