Thursday, 25 April 2019:

Australia are knocking on the door of top spot in the men's hockey Pro League after a tense 4-3 win over lowly New Zealand in Auckland.

The Kookaburras squandered a two-goal advantage before player of the match Blake Govers struck twice from penalty corners in the second half to seal their sixth win from eight games.

It leaves Australia narrowly trailing leaders Belgium, who boast a winning percentage of 80 per cent. Australia sit on 79.17 per cent and are closer to clinching the top-four finish needed to qualify for June's semi-finals.

Colin Batch's men were made to work harder than expected by the winless Kiwis, who drew level through goals either side of halftime from George Muir and Jared Panchia.

Tom Craig and Flynn Ogilvie had given the Kookaburras the lead with goals in the final two minutes of the opening quarter.

Govers underlined his drag-flick abilities with two similar low bullets that left Kiwi goalkeeper Richard Joyce with no chance.

The hosts scored the final goal with a minute to spare, through Mackenzie Wilcox, to the annoyance of Govers.

"Towards the end New Zealand had us scrambling which made it interesting for the crowd. Luckily enough we held on," he said.

"I believe it's our fault that we let them come back so easily. There's plenty of learnings and we're on to the next game."

It completed a successful Anzac Day double for Australia after the Hockeyroos thumped New Zealand 5-1 earlier.

Like the women's team, the Australian men are on the road for the second half of the league and will face Argentina in Buenos Aires next week.

AAP