By Duncan Mackay

London_2012_hockey_venueAugust 29 - Australia's and New Zealand women's hockey teams have both qualified for the London Olympics next year after Fiji pulled out of the Oceania Cup qualifying tournament, it was announced today.


The three-team tournament in Hobart from October 5-9 will now be a two team affair with Fiji's withdrawal.

"As both the Hockeyroos and New Zealand are the top two ranked teams in the Oceania Federation, they will now receive automatic qualification to the 2012 London Olympics," Hockey Australia said.

Hockeyroos coach Adam Commens said with the team not competing in the Champions Trophy, they would relish a chance to play the competitive New Zealanders, who are ranked number six in the world.

"The reality is that New Zealand are currently ranked ahead of us," he said

"We aren't competing at the Champions Trophy next year, so the fact that we will get another game against a higher ranked team will help our development towards the London Olympics."

Fiji will still compete in the men's Oceania Cup from October 5 to 9, taking on the world top-ranked Kookaburras and New Zealand.

The top two teams meet in the final to decide the Oceania Cup, and both earn qualification to the Olympics.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]