Kookas laughing, big win kills Kiwi Games hockey hopes

Tom Wickham and Blake Govers have dazzled as Australia confirmed an early end to New Zealand's Olympic men's hockey campaign in Paris.

The Kookaburras' 5-0 win in Paris on Thursday was a timely return to goal-scoring form and improved their startling head-to-head record to 35 wins and one draw from their last 38 clashes since Rio's 2016 Games.

It was a fourth straight Games loss for the Black Sticks, while Tokyo silver medallists Australia improved to 3-1 to secure a quarter-final passage ahead of a final pool game against India on Friday.

Forward Wickham was heavily involved, while strike partner Govers' hat-trick made it a tournament-high six goals and 26 in Tests against the trans-Tasman rivals.

New Zealand had their share of possession and opportunity but couldn't crack the Australian defence, the loss ruling them out of progression with one pool game still to play.

Wickham was everywhere for Australia, somehow contorting his body to dodge an Aran Zalewski strike on goal but still get a touch to hand Australia the opener.

Three minutes later his deflection from a Tom Craig pass hit the post, Govers whipping the rebound into the net for a 2-0 lead.

Wickham then showed superb skill to weave along the baseline, Ky Willett accepting a goal on a platter, before Govers slotted two final-quarter drag flicks to swell the lead.

The goal-fest was timely after two circumspect victories and a 6-2 loss to Belgium in Tuesday's Tokyo gold medal rematch.

Australian flag bearer Eddie Ockenden, in game No.449, appeared to brush off a heavy collision, returning the field in the second half.

In a late game on Thursday, the Hockeyroos missed two penalty strokes, trailed twice, came back from two goals down and then got a last-minute equaliser from Mariah Williams in a 3-3 draw with Argentina.

The Australians had already booked their spot in the quarter-finals after winning their opening three group games in Paris.

The South Americans went 2-0 ahead with two quick goals inside the opening 10 minutes.

The Hockeyroos got back into the contest through strikes from Kaitlin Nobbs (37th) and Stephanie Kershaw (45th), only to fall behind again when Argentina made it 3-2 with 10 minutes to play.

But Williams' late strike from a penalty corner ensured Australia maintained their unbeaten record with one more group game to come against Spain on Saturday.