Hugo Inglis' head was spinning yesterday as he digested the prospect of making his international debut later this week.
Inglis (18) was the bolter in the New Zealand men's team named to contest the World Cup qualifier starting in Invercargill on Saturday.
The former Otago Boys High School pupil now lives in Hamilton and plays for Midlands, but his selection will be greeted with delight in the Otago hockey community.
His own reaction to earning national selection verged on shock.
"I'm pretty stoked.
"This has happened way sooner than I expected," Inglis said yesterday.
"I though I might get a run in a couple of months if I was lucky but to get picked now is awesome."
Inglis, who was the National Hockey League's top scorer this year, knows he will have to work hard to earn and then keep a place in the Black Sticks' starting line-up.
"There are some pretty experienced guys up front.
"It's important I support them, do my best and get into the positions I am supposed to be in.
"Hopefully I'll play most of the games.
"But it depends on how the week pans out, I guess."
Inglis left Otago Boys last year and moved north to pursue education and hockey opportunities with talented schoolmates Nick Ross and Blair Tarrant.
He has been studying law at the University of Waikato.
Making his international debut in Invercargill is a bonus for Inglis as it is likely his Dunedin-based parents, brother and sister will be there to see him in action.
Inglis played for the Junior Black Sticks in last weekend's matches against the Black Sticks for the first two matches.
He was called across to be part of the senior side for the last match and impressed coach Shane McLeod.
"Every time Hugo is taken to a new level he rises to the occasion," McLeod said.
"I originally thought it might be a little early for him, but he has come along well at Midlands this year."
Another striker, Priyesh Bhana (North Harbour), who has just 10 caps, has also worked his way into the team.
Bhana (25) was introduced to international hockey earlier this year and has responded well.
The participating teams for the World Cup Qualifier are in order of world ranking: New Zealand (8), China (13), Malaysia (16), Austria (20), Scotland (24) and Wales (29).
The winner of the tournament will take up one of the final three positions available for the 2010 World Cup in New Delhi, India next February.
Of the six competing teams only New Zealand and Malaysia have ever played in a World Cup.
New Zealand has played in six World Cups since 1971, with seventh its best finish.
Malaysia has competed six times and its best placing was fourth.
Black Sticks Squad
Andrew Hayward, Simon Child, Blair Hopping, Dean Couzins, Ryan Archibald, Priyesh Bhana, Brad Shaw, Stephen Graham, Kyle Pontifex, Phil Burrows, Hayden Shaw/Nick Haig, Arun Panchia, Shea McAleese, Richard Petherick, Hugo Inglis, Ben Collier, Steve Edwards, Nick Wilson.
