The Australians downed reigning champs Argentina during their opening round clash at Changzhou, China, on Saturday night, a two-goal blitz in just three minutes off the stick of Rosie Malone proving the difference on the scoreboard in a 2-1 triumph but it was the Hockeyroos’ work off the ball that was pivotal. 

Malone’s burst came late in the first quarter and from that point on Bone and the rest of the Australian defence was relentlessly peppered as the world No.1 side looked to get back in the game.

That pressure amounted to a Maria Granatto goal just after the half-hour mark but Hockeyroos keeper Ash Wells and the Australian defence were incredibly resolute in the face of an attacking wave from the Las Leonas, with Argentina finishing the match ahead on circle entries (18-7), shots (8-4) and with more possession in the opposition half.

"We showed some grit,” Hockeyroos coach Paul Gaudoin

“We just need to be smarter when we're 1-0 or 2-0 up."

The Hockeyroos play Great Britain on Sunday night before further pool games against the Netherlands (Tuesday), hosts China (Thursday) and then Japan on Saturday.

The Champions Trophy finals are on next Sunday, November 25.