Black Sticks Shea McAleese and Stacey Michelsen have been ruled out of their respective World League semifinals in Rotterdam due to injury.
McAleese will travel home to New Zealand early next week after breaking his big toe in the men's final training session before their opening game against Netherlands at 6am (NZT) tomorrow.
McAleese has been ruled out of hockey for six weeks, and his spot in the team of 18 will be filled by Capital striker Jacob Smith, who travelled with the team as 19th man and was due to return home tonight. (thur)
Meanwhile, Michelsen did not travel with the Black Sticks women due to a knee ligament tear.
Aniwaka Roberts has taken her place in the team, with the women's first pool game against India tonight (NZT).
The top three men's and women's teams from the World League semifinal automatically qualify for the 2014 Hockey World Cup, although it is possible to earn qualification at the tournament with a lower ranking.
New Zealand can still qualify in other ways as well, with the next opportunity coming at the Oceania Cup in Taranaki in October.
