The veteran striker skipped the World Cup earlier this year to focus on his role as managing director of High Impact Athletes in London and also supporting his partner.
The 32-year-old’s absence broke up a hockey partnership that started more than a decade earlier at Otago Boys’ High School.
He grew up playing with Nick Ross, Blair Tarrant and Kane Russell. Ross has since retired from international hockey, but Tarrant are Russell are still going strong and will be joined by Inglis as the team attempts to qualify for the 2024 Olympics.
The Black Sticks have named experienced men’s and women’s teams for the Oceania Cup, which will feature New Zealand battling the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos of Australia in a three-game series for an Olympic berth.
The tournament will take place in Whangārei on August 10-13 and represents the first opportunity both sides have to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
There is a final opportunity at a qualification tournament in January.
Inglis is not the only high-profile returnee for the Black Sticks men. Jake Smith returns from an injury sustained at the World Cup in January, while Dane Lett and Simon Child are also back in the side.
Inglis is anticipating a big first up test against Australia.
"The group progressed nicely in Europe and the young guys settled into international hockey really well," he said.
"I'm excited to play alongside them and also to have the experience of my old mate Simon Child. We can't hide from the fact that the Kookaburras are a quality outfit and we'll need to be at our best in Whangārei and show what playing for Olympic qualification means to us."
Olympians Julia King and Sam Child (nee Charlton) will make their first appearances in the Black Shirt since the Tokyo Olympics — with Kelsey Smith also coming back into the side, after being unavailable for selection for the recent European tour.
Child said she is ready to hit the turf again.
“I’ve enjoyed having a break from hockey and focusing on my life outside of sport, including having my twin boys, but the time is right to come back and do what I can to help the team qualify for Paris," she said.
"I’m looking forward to representing New Zealand again, doing it alongside this great group of girls, and having my family on the sideline.”
Grace O’Hanlon is expected to earn her 100th cap in the opening match, and Simon Child is in line to earn his 300th, becoming just the fifth Kiwi to do it, if he plays all three games.
The Black Sticks women are the current holders of the Oceania Cup, beating the Hockeyroos in Rockhampton 2019 , while the men have never won it since its inception in 1999.
Black Sticks
The squads
Men: Leon Hayward, George Enersen, Simon Yorston, David Brydon, Charlie Morrison, Blair Tarrant, Kane Russell, Dane Lett; Midfielders: Nic Woods (captain), Aidan Sarikaya, Sean Findlay, Hayden Phillips, Simon Child, Hugo Inglis, Scott Boyde, Sam Lane, Jake Smith, George Baker.
Women: Grace O’Hanlon, Brooke Roberts, Steph Dickins, Fran Davies, Megan Hull (co-captain), Casey Crowley, Liz Thompson, Julia King, Sam Child, Tarryn Davey, Alia Jacques, Katie Doar, Rose Tynan, Olivia Shannon, Hannah Cotter, Kelsey Smith, Hope Ralph, Olivia Merry (co-captain).
