The pair were selected in their respective sides after strong showings playing for Victoria at the Australian Masters Championships late last year.

Ballard, 37, was named co-captain and will play as a striker-midfielder in the 35s team, while Rowe, 47, was selected as a midfielder in the 45s team.

Rowe said she was excited to wear the green and gold for the first time at the same place Australia's hockey stars fought for Commonwealth Games glory in April of 2018.

"It (wearing the colours) is a feeling I don't think I can describe at this point in time," she said.

"I am just really keen to get the uniform on and the first time I get to stand out in the middle and hearing the national and maybe sing along with it a bit on the way.

"But I'm looking really forward to the challenge and the experience and learning more about hockey."

Ballard said she was eager to lead the national side after captaining her state at the Australian titles.

"I'm feeling really positive about the group and the mangers that we have got so I'm really looking forward to the leadership position," she said.

"We have a few games against New Zealand and they are pretty fierce and I'm keen to get out there and play."

Rowe said she was hoping to be a team player as the Australians look to claim bragging rights over one of their arch hockey rivals.

"I'll hopefully try and play through the midfield and up forward as that's where I think my strengths are," she said.

"I'm fit and I think I can offer that to the team and trying to be hard to the ball and on my opponent and not let them get the ball and try to do the best for the team.

"I like to judge the way I play on how I bring people into the game so I like to pass well and defend well."

The pair's campaign begins on Wednesday, followed by game two on Thursday and the finale on Saturday.

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