'Dangerous' Blake Govers hat-trick, clever goal review helps Kookaburras to dominant 5-0 win over New Zealand
Australia have kept their men's hockey hopes alive at Paris 2024, with a Blake Govers hat-trick and a clever goal review from skipper Aran Zalewski securing a 5-0 victory.
After a scoreless opening quarter, Zalewski motored a powerful shot from the edge of the box that deflected off Tom Wickham's stick and into the goal.
However, the on-field official initially ruled that the ball came off Wickham's foot.
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After the star forward urged his captain to review the decision, Zalewski went to the referee and the decision was overturned after video replays showed the ball clearly came off Wickham's stick before bouncing off the Kiwi goalkeeper.
Australia scores its first goal against New Zealand in the men's hockey Pool B match in Paris. Nine
Govers extended the lead before the main break as New Zealand were left reeling and staring down the barrel of yet another defeat.
After half-time, Wickham iced another opportunity and looked in impressive touch.
"Hasn't he been busy," Georgie Parker said on the Nine broadcast.
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Govers was the star of the show in the second stanza and finished with a hat-trick, including two goals from penalty corners.
"He is as dangerous as anything ... pinpoint accuracy," Parker said.
Earlier in the contest, New Zealand's Joseph Morrison copped a nasty blow to the face.
Despite the pleas from his Kiwi teammates, the officials deemed the contact as accidental and the Kookaburras escaped without being penalised.
The winless Black Sticks now slump to 0-4 in Paris, while the Aussies move to three wins from four matches, bouncing back from a heavy loss against Belgium.
Australia will take on India - who have already qualified for the quarter finals - on Friday.
