The Kookaburras have inflicted an embarrassing 7-2 defeat on the Netherlands in the FIH Pro League to stun the world No.1 on home soil.
The locals watched in disbelief as Tom Craig and Nathan Ephraums each scored twice, while Lachlan Sharp, Jeremy Hayward and Blake Govers also found the back of the net.
Friday's victory was set up by a four-goal burst in five scintillating first-half minutes.
Welcoming five players back into the team who had just completed a club season in Europe, the Kookaburras went ahead in the 12th minute.
Eddie Ockenden, playing in his 421st international, produced a sublime pass that sliced through the Netherlands defence for Craig who rifled a shot into the back of the net.
The goal triggered a Kookaburras avalanche as Sharp struck three minutes later after being set up by a superb reverse stick pass from Daniel Beale.
Ephraums followed suit moments later courtesy of persistence in the circle from Tim Brand, before James Collins glided into the circle and put the ball on a plate for Craig to ram home his second.
A 4-0 score line after 17 minutes became 5-0 in the 22nd minute when Hayward converted a trademark drag flick.
At the other end of the pitch, the Kookaburras limited the Netherlands’ chances and defended stoutly in a fine all-round performance.
Goalkeeper Andrew Charter made a couple of sharp saves before the Dutch eventually pegged a goal back just before half-time through Miles Bukkens.
Some great work in the circle from Collins earned the Kookaburras two penalty corners in the early stages of the third quarter.
Govers had his drag flick saved by Pirmin Blaak from the second corner but the ball deflected out allowing him to hammer it into the back of the net for his 130th international goal from 141 international appearances.
Ephraums completed the rout with his second in the 49th minute before Ash Thomas became the 443rd player to represent the Kookaburras when he replaced Charter in goal with nine minutes remaining.
Bukkens scored a late consolation goal for the hosts but it could not take the gloss off of a stellar start to the Kookaburras’ European tour.
“It has been a difficult period for our group," said Craig. We have had some guys in Europe and guys missing tours for various reasons so we wanted to focus on ourselves today and the big thing was we were really efficient in front of goal and defending the goal.
“The energy was really good. There was a good feeling out there and things were clicking well.”
The teams meet again on Tuesday (AEST).
