"COMMON sense has prevailed", Cairns Hockey Association general manager Murray Bain said after confirmation the trans-Tasman series was coming to Cairns. 

The international men’s series was put in jeopardy late last week with the Australian side reportedly unhappy with travel arrangements to the Far North.

But Hockey Australia has given the green light to the matches which will be played on June 22, 23 and 25.

"This is what it’s all about," Mr Bain said.

"This is why we build these facilities, to host world class sporting events and the people of Cairns don’t get enough opportunities to watch world class teams in their own city.

"This will be the Kookaburras’ last game in Australia before they leave for the Olympics and the team that comes here to play will be the Olympic team, because the AOC will have just announced the squad."

The Kookaburras last played in Cairns in a Test series against Korea in 2008 just before their Beijing Olympics departure.

Mr Bain said crowds of up to 5000 people attended the matches and he expected a similar turn-out this time for games against New Zealand.

The Kookaburra took the bronze at Beijing, and will be hoping Cairns gives them the ideal preparation this time.

Several members of the champion 2004 Athens Olympics team are expected to be in the squad including Jamie Dwyer, Liam De Young, Mark Knowles and Rob Hammond.

Hockey Queensland chief executive Kim Guerin said Cairns was an excellent location for the series.

"The Queensland hockey community wholeheartedly support the Queensland contingent of the Kookaburras squad and therefore the chance to share in the beginning of their Olympic journey will be a special experience," she said.

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