AFL Toyota Premiership 2011

New Zealand Hawks

Ranking: 2
IC08 Placing: 2

The Hawks will take a squad of 26 players to Australia with three emergencies to continue training with the squad in the lead up.

Eight players will debut for the Senior team and with an average age of just 22, the squad is infused with a good cross section of youth and experience.

Richard Bradley will make his fourth consecutive International Cup; the 29-year-old marking forward continues to be a key target for the Hawks.

Hawthorn Football Club International Scholarship signing Rhys Panui-Leth, will make his debut for the team and is the youngest squad member turning 17 shortly before the tournament commences.

The High Performance Program is providing strength and continuity with former U16 New Zealand Captain Sami Tu’itopou and U20 Captain Andriu Sucu also members of the squad.

The Hawks have players from Auckland, Wellington, Waikato and Canterbury participating as well as three players currently based in Australia.

Head Coach: Justin Davies
Assistant Coaches: Andrew Congalton, Robert Vanstam
 

NZ's Road to IC11
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Message from New Zealand High Commissioner

 
May I offer my best wishes to the New Zealand men’s and women’s teams participating in the 2011 International AFL Cup in August in Sydney and Melbourne.

Australian football is developing its presence in New Zealand and has experienced an increase in junior participation in recent years. There have been some successful New Zealand players in the AFL and one day a New Zealand team may be part of that league.

Unfortunately due to previous commitments, I will be unable to see you and your teams in action, but would like to wish you all well and every success in the tournament.

Martyn Dunne, CNZM
High Commissioner for New Zealand

Player to Watch: Justin Clark

 
Cantabrian youngster Justin Clark is only playing his second year of Australian Football, but has made an impact. Justin represented New Zealand in the Under 20s against VAFA last year and followed this with selection in the Senior team in the Pacific Cup series against Tonga last November.

At 192cm, his speed and fitness are fantastic attributes. Covering the 3km time trial for initial testing at 10 minutes 30 seconds, he can play any position on the field.