THE PRESS, Christchurch Friday, October 18, 2013 SPORT B15 HOCKEY BASKETBALL Child back US import eager to face Breakers Logan Savory another opponent during his time in ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● ● New Zealand and he said the pair in black American Brian Conklin admits were starting to click on the same tonight’s Australian National Bas- team. ketball League game against the However, he admitted he couldn’t Breakers is one that he’s been look- help himself when it came to ing forward to for a while. throwing a few barbs the way of Conklin was a key figure in pro- Pace, who was part of the Nelson and ready pelling the Southland Sharks to a team Southland beat in this year’s New Zealand National Basketball New Zealand final. League title this year and his strong ‘‘It’s going great playing in the performances resulted in him being same team as Josh but I have to picked up by the Townsville throw a few jabs at him to remind Crocodiles for the Australian league him (Southland) won the champion- for Aussies which started last week. ship this year.’’ The 24-year-old will tonight line Conklin’s Townsville side hasn’t Brendon Egan up against one of his Sharks team- been given much hope this season by [email protected] They ● ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● ● mates in Reuben Te Rangi, while anyone although the American [Australia] Sharks coach Paul Henare is also thinks they can surprise people and Black Sticks striker Simon Child involved with the Breakers as an make some good progress this wants his team to sustain their are a bloody good assistant coach. season. intensity in the second stanza team and there’s a ‘‘Ever since I saw (Te Rangi and ‘‘In-house we have real high against Australia for the Henare) in Sydney in the preseason expectations, you know, we expect to upcoming Oceania Cup hockey reason why we blitz I’ve been looking forward to be in the top four and to make the series. playing against them and catching play-offs. Out of house everyone’s The New Zealand men’s side haven’t beaten up and seeing how they are doing,’’ picking us to be one of the bottom has an awful recent record them that often. Conklin said yesterday. two teams, but we’re making good against the reigning World Cup Of course there has been a bit of strides, teams haven’t been able to champions, winning just one of We’re getting pre-match banter between Conklin blow us out.’’ their 16 contests over the past five closer and closer. and Te Rangi this week just to add to The St Louis University product years. it all. said he would like to come back for a Child, who will be wearing the Simon Child ‘‘There has been a bit, it was his second season with the Sharks in black shirt for the first time since birthday the other day so I joked 2014, but it will depend on timing December’s Champions Trophy, Child said the Oceania Cup around with him a little bit. It’ll be whether he was in a position to go after taking a break from inter- was an important series for the good, I’m excited to see him.’’ straight from the Australian league national hockey, has tasted vic- Black Sticks as they headed into a As well as the Sharks connection back to the New Zealand compe- tory just once against Australia in busy 2014 international season, Conklin is pretty well accustomed to tition. his eight years with the team. which would also include the many of the other Breakers players ‘‘We’ve got to see when the draw He said they were desperate to World Cup, Commonwealth he will come up against tonight comes out and how the seasons com- beat the Kookaburras on a con- Games and Champions Challenge. given many of them he played pare. I would definitely like to come sistent basis and felt they were ‘‘Aussie will be a really good against in the New Zealand League. back and pull on the orange again slowly bridging the gap on their test for us. It’s going to be a good His fellow American import at and play in the new stadium, that trans-Tasman rivals. measure of where we are now and Townsville, Josh Pace, was also would be real cool.’’ New Zealand traditionally identify those things we need to matched it with the Australians work on ahead of next year.’’ in the first half, but after halftime, The 25-year-old was relishing Child said they had been guilty of the chance to represent his dropping their concentration and country again after deciding to letting the game slip. take time out from the inter- ‘‘They are a bloody good team national game. and there’s a reason why we Hockey has been a huge part of haven’t beaten them that often. Child’s life since breaking into the We’re getting closer and closer. national squad at the age of 16 and ‘‘They seem to have a knack to he said it was necessary to refresh come out after halftime and bang from both a physical and mental a couple of goals in. standpoint. ‘‘Our biggest focus will be not In the early part of the year, he falling asleep after the halftime won the Dutch first division title break.’’ with Rotterdam in his fifth season New Zealand have already with the team, while also turning Bully for him: Simon Child celebrates after scoring during a Champions Trophy match against Netherlands at North Harbour booked their ticket to January’s out for the Delhi Waveriders in in 2011. Photo: FAIRFAX NZ World League final in India, but the inaugural Indian hockey will be looking to build up league competition. Next year, is going to be training for the past three weeks the Champions Trophy in Decem- combinations and gain world Child has been concentrating extremely busy with the World and declared himself good to go ber and enjoyed his coaching hockey ranking points during the on his studies over the past few Cup and Commonwealth Games. for the Oceania Cup. style. Oceania Cup in Stratford, which months and is set to complete his ‘‘I’ve been playing for eight During his break, he has kept ‘‘He’s a relaxed guy and he runs from October 30 to Novem- Bachelor of Business at Massey years, but I’m only 25, so it’s quite in close contact with Black Sticks keeps you honest. Batchy is more ber 3. University later this year. important to have a break.’’ coach Colin Batch, who took over of an old-school head. Rather than Hockey minnows Samoa and ‘‘It’s important to have a men- Child missed the domestic from Shane McLeod last Sept- the processes, he’s more worried Papua New Guinea will also con- tal refreshment. My body is fine, national league for Auckland due ember. about the overall picture and guys test the four team tournament. but I came off a pretty heavy 2012. to a foot injury, but has been back Child played under Batch at having the right attitude.’’ Full grids for Timaru Endurance Top talent at Timaru One-Hour is so crowded that the Brendon Hartley is being con- With so much at stake any small Tomorrow at Timaru Inter- Benjamin South Canterbury Car Club has sidered by Porsche AG to drive mistakes could well have a major national Raceway sees the third had to get approval to increase one of two LMP1 racing cars impact on their title bids. In Spain round of the ASKO Endurance Carrell their maximum car limit in order entered in the 2014 World Endur- 18-year-old Jake Lewis currently Series for both three and one hour PITSTOP DIARY to accommodate all the entries. ance Championship (WEC), has a four point lead in the Pata categories. The penultimate Grant Williams (Mazda RX7 V8) including the 24 Hours of Le European Junior Cup as they race round will have full grids at what won the first two rounds of the Mans. German Marc Lieb – the the final round in Jerez. is regarded as a tight and techni- series and will have regular co- Porsche works’ driver from the The last round of the IZOD cal circuit. driver Brent Buist back for this GT programme – and Hartley will IndyCar Series takes place in Cali- Current three hour series Simon Ellingham (997 GT3) will round. Timaru has not been kind be evaluated over the remaining fornia, USA. Two times IndyCar leader and defending champion team up with defending Aust- to them in the past and the compe- 2013 test drives, a final decision to champion Scott Dixon leads his Paul Kelly (Porsche 997 GT3) ralian GT Series champion Klark tition will be fierce, including Tim be made at the end of the year. rival Helio Castroneves by 25 teams up with Australian V8 Quinn. O’Connor (Ferrari 458) and The WEC 2014 comprises a total of points heading to Fontana Speed- Supercar driver David Reynolds The International Motorsport Hayden Knighton, Peter Van eight races and signals the start of way. The two rivals last duelled as regular co-driver Daniel Gaunt pairing of Rick Armstrong/Matt Eekelen and Danny Whiting in longer-term involvement in this for the title in 2008 at Chicagoland will be at Hampton Downs along Hamilton (997 GT3) aim to be Porsche 997 GT3s. The final round competition for Porsche. with Dixon winning his second with several other top drivers faster after replacing a cracked will take place at the new Final series rounds for title.