Kookaburras aim for historic three-peat

The Kookaburras begin their World Cup campaign in India with their first pool match against Ireland.

Matthew Swann.

Matthew Swann says a World Cup three-peat for the Kookaburras would be a tremendous achievement. (AAP)

Now here's a national men's sporting team to get behind.

The world No.1 Kookaburras will be aiming for a historic hockey World Cup three-peat when the quadrennial tournament starts in India on Friday.

Success would cap off a dream 12 months for coach Colin Batch and his men, who took out the World League Final, Commonwealth Games and Champions Trophy titles.

Both Pakistan (1978 and 1982) and Germany (2002 and 2006) have won back-to-back titles, however no other nation has claimed three straight World Cups.

"To win any tournament where you play the world's best is an amazing opportunity, but to do it three times in a row would be an incredible achievement," veteran Matthew Swann told AAP.

The world's No.1 nation face Ireland (10th), England (seventh) and China (17th) through the group stages, with the first-placed team advancing straight to the quarter-finals.

Should Australia top their group, they could face Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand or Ireland again in the final eight before a possible semi-final against the host nation.

Veteran Matthew Swann is one of just two survivors from the squad that won in 2010, having rejoined following a four-month break for personal reasons earlier this year.

Despite missing a shot at Commonwealth gold on the Gold Coast, the 29-year-old was always confident of selection in Bhubaneswar.

He was part of their World League final victory almost a year ago in the same venue where the Kookaburras will meet Ireland in their Cup opener on Friday.

He has fond memories of their victory in New Delhi eight years ago.

"At that age, you're really just absorbing as much knowledge as possible and trying to do the best you can. These days I'm a bit more calm and calculating with my movements," he said.

"Back then I would've just had a bit more flair and taken the game on a bit more, maybe sometimes to my own detriment. But that's what you do when you're young.

"I've been lucky enough to be part of a team that was very good and still is now."

And while Argentina and Belgium are expected to be Australia's greatest threats for the silverware, Swann predicted the home side to be a darkhorse.

The Kookaburras beat India in a dramatic shootout in the Champions Trophy in July.

"There'll be a real lift from the Indian side as well, playing in front of an amazing Indian crowd. This would be one of the best crowds I've played in front of in my career," he said.

KOOKABURRAS POOL MATCHES (times are AEDT)

Friday, Nov 30: 10:30pm: Australia v Ireland (10th)

Wednesday, Dec 5: 12:30am: Australia v England (seventh)

Friday, Dec 7: 10:30pm: Australia v China (17th)


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Source: AAP


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