Rotorua's Connor Herewini is flying high after being named in the Future Black Sticks squad to play five tests against Australia.

Future Black Sticks Men's coach Bryce Collins has named a talented team ahead of the series. The Under 23s side includes players who had a strong Ford National Hockey League campaign, and is led by National Squad member Matt Rees-Gibbs (Midlands).

Midlands hockey player Connor Herewini. Photo: Jay Hughes.

Joining him from Midlands is Connor, and the 21-year-old striker says he is over the moon to have made the squad.

'It's an opportunity for me to play against Australia and their best players, so I'm looking forward to it.”

New Zealand will play an Australian Under-23 team five times from November 21-27 at the National Hockey Centre in Canberra.

It's an important series in the lead up to next year's Junior World Cup, and also provides a high-quality development opportunity for the next tier of potential Black Sticks.

Unfortunately for Connor, he won't be eligible for the Junior World Cup because he'll be too old, but he says it's a great opportunity to push his claim for a spot in the Black Sticks team.

His dream is to step up to the Black Sticks squad and join his hometown mate Leo Mitai-Wells.

'He just got put into the national squad for the Black Sticks,” says Connor.

'Leo is doing really well. He was in my Under-21 team. He's from Rotorua and we've played together – I've pretty much been brought up with him in hockey.”

A Te Arawa descendant, Connor says he catches up with Leo all the time and the pair often train together.

Connor's Future Black Sticks coach Bryce says the series will expose players to top-class international competition, which will help build depth for the squad going forward.

One additional player will be named later this week to replace Central's Rob Creffier, who has withdrawn due to a broken finger.

Future Black Sticks squad: Brennan Alexander-Parker, Martin Atkinson, Ruan Bezuidenhout, Robbie Capizzi, Daniel Harris, Hugh Henrickson, Connor Herewini, Sam Jimmeson, Richmond Lum, Thomas Mallon, Oliver McIntyre, Kieran O'Connor, Daniel Panchia, Hayden Phillips, Matt Rees-Gibbs © Joshua Smith, Matt Symonds, Benedickt Van Woerkom, Chad Whitehead.