No pressure as Borger presses his case
THE AXE will fall on the Australian squad following this week's Junior World Cup hockey qualifiers on the Gold Coast, but the laconic Simon Borger is not the kind of guy to let that worry him.
The former Saints player, who now plies his trade with Bulimba in Brisbane, hopes to secure his spot at fullback in the series against New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Vanuatu that began on Tuesday.
He is one of two Cairns connections in the team, with former Trinity Stinger Kane Posselt gunning for a spot in the midfield for India, following a successful campaign with the Queensland Blades last season.
A squad of 27 will soon be cut to 18 or 20 by coach Paul Gaudoin - a former Kookaburra who is now also the senior team's assistant coach - for the World Cup in India later this year.
There are two spots on offer at the Gold Coast qualifier and Australia and New Zealand are expected to be far better sides than the developing Oceania nations.
The real battle, Borger said, would be within the team.
``We've all improved since last season and we all know now's the time to lift again with the World Cup coming up,'' Borger said.
``The whole squad is here, we are good mates, but there are lots of people fighting for the same positions and everyone is feeling the pressure. You've just got to get that out of your head and play.''
It should not be an issue for the laid-back Borger, who has always laughed off adversity in his representative hockey career.
In one season the tall, well-built defender missed selection in the Queensland under-18 side but was no sooner picked in the Queensland under-21 team.
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No fuss: Rock solid Cairns hockey product Simon Borger is not feeling the pressure for Australia at this week's Junior World Cup qualifiers.
