The Black Sticks women are in a rebuilding phase following the shock resignation of coach Graham Shaw.
New Zealand's women make their return to the international hockey stage against Australia in Auckland next month.
And they're banking on their trans-Tasman rivals to give their World Cup and Commonwealth Games preparation a much-needed boost.
If the Black Sticks women have learned anything from the past 12 months, it's that consistent performances lead to medals.
That lesson was learned the hard way at the Tokyo Olympics, after being knocked out of the quarter-finals by the Netherlands.
"You have to win quarters, semis and finals to be in the medal contention," striker Olivia Merry told Newshub.
"It's something we're definitely honing in on over the next couple of months."
An assignment made even harder with no one in charge after coach Shaw quit earlier this month to return home to Ireland.
"For Graham, he's made the right call and we support him with that," head of high performance Darren Smith said.
"It was a bit of a shock," Merry added. "But I think the team's consolidated very well, and we've got a plan going forward."
Regardless, 2022 is a big year for the Black Sticks women.
"Coming off Tokyo, you don't get the down year we normally get, and now we've got a World Cup and a Commonwealth Games," Smith added.
At July's Commonwealth Games in Birmingham they’re hoping to win back-to-back gold medals, defending the title won on the Gold Coast in 2018.
"We can use that as huge inspiration, and draw off that confidence," said co-captain Megan Hull.
"We know it's not going to be easy, there's going to be some huge competition.
And for that look no further than Australia, with a four-match series against the Hockeyroos locked in for Auckland next month.
"There's every potential we could play them in a semi or final in both events," Merry said.
"It's important we do get eyes on what they are, a little bit different like we are."
The complexion of the team is sure to change once again, when a new head coach is finally found.
