Black Sticks striker Hugo Inglis takes off in a test against Australia in Palmerston North. PHOTO: BWMEDIA.CO.NZ
The 33-year-old Black Sticks striker announced his retirement on Wednesday night, bringing an end to an international career that spanned nearly 15 years.
He made his debut in 2009 and went on to score 74 goals in 266 games.
Inglis, who is in the United Kingdom, also went to four Olympic Games and established himself as one of the country's most formidable attacking players.
For most of that time, he had his Dunedin team-mates, Blair Tarrant, Nick Ross and Kane Russell, along for the journey.
The "Fab Four" grew up playing hockey together and honed their skills at Otago Boys' High School before going on to represent their province and country.
The competition between the four of them made each of them better.
Inglis and fellow Otago Black Sticks (from left) Nick Ross, Kane Russell and Blair Tarrant spent 20 or so years playing together. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
He combined an exceptional skill level with a tireless work ethic to forge an impressive career, and he was able to out-manoeuvre opponents and think on his feet.
All of that was very obvious to Ross, one of his early coaches.
Ross recalled Inglis' competitive nature and impressive skill with admiration.
"From a young age, Hugo was probably one of the most competitive players that I had ever met," Ross said.
"He was also one of the most skilful, developing a jink and a drag at a very young age.
"His work rate was huge ... he would always look like he was half dead from exhaustion on the field but always kept on going.
"To me, Hugo was the complete package in sport ... he's fit, aggressive, combative, determined and extremely skilful. A true world-class player."
Inglis' long-term team-mate and former Black Sticks captain Tarrant said Inglis was one of the most competitive people he knew.
"He brought passion, he brought skill, energy and he was exciting to watch," he said.
"There was so much that he brought to the game.
"But what I'll remember is what he brought to the guys who train with him week in, week out.
"He's the most competitive guy you'll ever come across and you'll ever train with, and the reality is that he made all of us better at hockey because he trained so hard and he wanted to win every single ball, which definitely made me a better hockey player.
"You can't go 80% against Hugo, you have to go 100% or else you're not going to win anything."
Inglis, in a statement, said he made the decision after the Olympic campaign.
"I told the guys after Paris that after spending almost half my life as a Black Stick it was the right time for me to retire," Inglis said.
"The Olympics and other major events have been awesome, but my fondest memories are the lifelong friendships made along the way.
"There is nothing better than playing for your country alongside some of your best mates and this is what I'll miss most.
"Right now it is feeling a bit like a career of coulda, shoulda, woulda but I'm sure over time I'll come to be pretty proud of what I achieved in the black shirt."
Inglis was an integral member of the Black Sticks team who secured a bronze medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, and he contributed to winning silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
Hockey New Zealand chief executive Anthony Crummy said Inglis had been "an exceptional force both on and off the field".
"His work ethic, professionalism and tireless dedication to the team have consistently shined through," Crummy said.
"His sense of service and giving back is reflected off the turf too with his work with the charity High Impact Athletes, which exists to turn the sporting sector into a force for good.
"Hugo has left an indelible mark on not only hockey but also New Zealand sport, and he will be missed by hockey and sports fans across New Zealand and the world."
