The Oceania Cup title gave the New Zealand women a major boost in this update of the ABN AMRO WorldHockey rankings, making them one of the big movers, while Australia benefit from Germany’s 4th place finish in the European Championships to claim first place on the men’s side. With the current update including results from the EuroHockey Nations Championship, Trophy and Challenges, Asia Cups and Oceania Cups, there have been significant changes in the ABN AMRO World Rankings. The updated continental rankings are based upon continental championships played over a 4-year cycle, rather than just the actual results of the most recent edition of the championship.

The Dutch men have overtaken Spain to claim 3rd place in the rankings thanks to their win over the Iberians in the final of the EuroHockey Nations Championship. Korea switch places with Pakistan, claiming 5th place, following its superior Asia Cup results and ranking. England, Belgium and Malaysia also have all improved by one spot within the top 16 places, while the big movers include Austria (33 to 25), Sri Lanka (50 to 33), Singapore (55 to 38), Italy (28 to 37), and Chinese Taipei (31 to 50).

In the women’s rankings, apart from the Black Sticks’ surge forward, movement was less dramatic, but there are a number of more subtle changes. Thanks to their European title in combination with the Hockeyroos handing their crown over to New Zealand, Germany overtook Australia to claim third place in the rankings. Spain, Korea, England and the USA all drop a spot as a consequence of New Zealand’s new ranking. Italy traded places with the Netherlands Antilles, making them 19th, while Chinese Taipei moved up two places and Hong Kong slid down by two. Big movers include Thailand (55 to 31), the Czech Republic (43 to 39), Wales (33 to 41) and Pakistan (31 to 44).

The number of countries in the men’s ranking has grown from 69 to 75, with new listings for Turkey, Serbia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Thailand, Bulgaria and Papua New Guinea, while Macau are no longer in the ranking. On the women’s side, the number of countries listed has stayed the same – 64 – with Finland and Greece having dropped out of the rankings and Papua New Guinea and Samoa entering.