Aussies face NZ in hockey blockbuster

It had to be you.

The Australian women's hockey team stumbled around early at the Rio Olympics before finding form and going on a three-game winning run, leading them to a blockbuster quarter-final against who else, but old foes New Zealand.

Trans-Tasman rivalry will take centre stage at the Olympic Hockey Centre in Deodoro on Monday night as the Hockeyroos and Kiwis battle for a place in the semi-finals.

The world No.3 Hockeyroos wrapped up their preliminary matches with a 2-0 win over Japan on Saturday, finishing third in their group.

World No.4 New Zealand cruised past China 3-0 shortly after the Hockeyroos' win, meaning the Black Sticks Women clinched second place in their group behind gold medal favourites the Netherlands.

Hockeyroos coach Adam Commens is pleased with his side's progression during the tournament, particularly in defence, and says they are braced for an intense clash.

"It's going to be a tough match and one of the medal favourites will be going out in the quarter-finals," Commens said.

"We know New Zealand very well and we know how we need to play to get the result and we're confident that if we execute our game plan that's what we will be able to do."

The quarter-finals system is being used at the Olympics for the first time and this has led to a different approach from the Australians.

Under the old system, only the top two from each group qualified for the semi-finals.

"When you know there are quarter-finals, you set up your team a little bit differently and you try and build through the tournament," Commens said.

New Zealand have been impressive, winning three games, losing one to Germany, and drawing 1-1 with reigning two-time Olympic champions the Netherlands.