Australia will play world number one and Rio Olympics silver medallists Netherlands, World League Semi-Final winners USA and world number 11 Japan at the International Festival of Hockey from 6-12 November.

The Hockeyroos will follow that tournament with a three-Test series against the Japanese in Adelaide from 15-18 November.

“This is a great opportunity to play against high quality teams and also explore our playing group so we can make better decisions in regards to our selections for next year,” Hockeyroos coach Paul Gaudoin said. 

“We’re wanting to give people opportunity and exposure.

“Performances in the Australian Hockey League (AHL) have allowed us to look at a few other people.”

Earlier this month, Australia won the Oceania Cup in Sydney after defeating New Zealand 2-nil in the final.

From the Oceania Cup team, Victorian trio Laura Barden, Lily Brazel and Emily Hurtz along with Queensland newcomer Savannah Fitzpatrick all come in for the IFoH.

Kate Hanna, Gabi Nance, Kathryn Slattery and Grace Stewart are the players to make way from the 18-member team for the IFoH.

Brazel and Fitzpatrick are uncapped at senior level, while Hurtz hasn’t played for the Hockeyroos since the 2014 World Cup but has 85 caps and 30 international goals to her name.

“Emily has been very impressive,” Gaudoin said.

“She had an outstanding AHL – she’s been the top scorer for the last three AHLs, so she’s shown consistently that she can play. 

“She’s keen to be involved – she’s a very good striker and we want to give her the opportunity.

“Lily has impressed during the camp at the start of the year.

“She had a very strong Development Tour of Japan and backed up with her performances with the winning Victorian team at the AHL in Perth.

“Savannah is not too dissimilar to Lily – she had impressive performances at the camp in March and also the Japan Development Tour and also AHL.”

The selectors have made further changes for the Japan Series, with WA goalkeeper Aleisha Power and NSW midfielder Mikaela Patterson in line for international debuts.

NSW duo Georgina Morgan and Mariah Williams return after injury, while Ashlee Wells and Jacqui Day are also recalled.

Hanna, Nance, Slattery and Stewart have been named for the Japan matches, with Barden, Jocelyn Bartram, Kristina Bates, Kirstin Dwyer, Stephanie Kershaw, Rachael Lynch, Brooke Peris, Renee Taylor, Georgia Wilson and captain Emily Smith left out.

“Aleisha Power was Goalkeeper of the Tournament at the Junior World Cup last year,” Gaudoin said.

“She’s a very athletic and strong goalkeeper and we think she’s someone to keep an eye on for the future.

“Mikaela Patterson was impressive at the Junior World Cup last year.

“At our national camp at the start of the year and the AHL she was impressive.

“She played very well in the National Under-21s in a winning team. 

“She’s a fleet footed defensive midfielder and we give her an opportunity.”

Hockeyroos team for International Festival of Hockey: Laura Barden, Jocelyn Bartram, Kristina Bates, Lily Brazel, Jane Claxton, Kirstin Dwyer, Ashlea Fey,  Madison Fitzpatrick, Savannah Fitzpatrick, Emily Hurtz, Stephanie Kershaw, Rachael Lynch, Kaitlin Nobbs, Brooke Peris, Madi Ratcliffe, Emily Smith, Renee Taylor and Georgia Wilson.

Hockeyroos team for Japan Test Match Series: Lily Brazel, Jane Claxton, Jacqui Day, Ashlea Fey, Madison Fitzpatrick, Savannah Fitzpatrick, Kate Hanna, Emily Hurtz, Georgina Morgan, Gabi Nance, Kaitlin Nobbs, Mikaela Patterson, Aleisha Power, Madi Ratcliffe, Kathryn Slattery, Grace Stewart, Ashlee Wells and Mariah Williams.