Goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex, a mainstay of the New Zealand hockey team's defence will have to call on all his 120 caps worth of experience to help the side chase a top four placing at Malaysia's Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament beginning at Ipoh on Thursday.
In the absence of Phil Burrows and Shea McAleese, who were unavailable for the tournament, Auckland defender Dean Couzins has been appointed captain.
Along with Pontifex, Couzins' exposure to 223 tests will be needed to weld together a side that is a mix of youth and experience.
Coach Shane McLeod said from Ipoh his team had to overcome a big challenge to come home with a medal.
"The team named for the tournament is young, and for many players it will be a chance to gain international experience and play against teams that New Zealand are likely to compete against at next year's London Olympic Games," he said.
The invitational tournament has drawn a strong field including world champions Australia, Korea (world No 6), Britain, Pakistan (eight), India (ninth) and hosts Malaysia (15th).
"We are the third highest ranked team (seventh) going into the tournament, but we are missing some key players and we have a young side, so we need to be realistic about our chances," McLeod said.
"One of the big advantages in playing in the Azlan Shah, is that you get to play against a range of teams that have varying styles and for young players this is extremely valuable, especially as we work to build depth leading up to the Olympics," says McLeod.
Capital player Matt L'Huillier, yet to pull on the New Zealand jersey, is the most inexperienced in the side.
McLeod invited the 23-year-old defender to join the team after Simon Child and James Coughlan pulled out because of injury.
L'Huillier has already had time on the turf during the practice matches and is hoping to debut during the tournament.
The team have played two practice matches at the main stadium in Ipoh - beating the Malaysian under-21 team 6-0 before drawing 2-2 against Malaysia's national side with goals being scored by Shay Neal and Gareth Brooks.
New Zealand play a final practice game against India before opening their Cup campaign against Pakistan on Thursday.
They then play Korea on Sunday, Britain on Monday, Malaysia on May 11, India on May 12 and Australia on May 14.
The tournament ends with the final between the top two teams after the round-robin on May 15.
