<p>Playing against his younger brother at the Olympic hockey tournament is not something New Zealand goalkeeper Leon Hayward had thought would ever happen.</p>.<p>But on Wednesday, Leon, 31, faced off against his 28-year-old brother Jeremy, who played as a defender for Australia in their match against the Kiwis in a spectator-less stadium at the Tokyo Olympic Games.</p>.<p>"The magnitude of the event is kind of the big thing," said Leon after the game, with his brother standing next to him.</p>.<p>"Jeremy and I have been competitive since we were young. It doesn't matter whether it's cricket or football or whatever, and this is just how it has come about."</p>.<p>The contest between the siblings could happen after Leon "moved across the ditch" - in the words of Jeremy - something he could do because the pair's mother was born in New Zealand. Leon made his international debut for New Zealand in 2019.</p>.<p>While growing up, Leon's tough love had helped his brother reach his targets, Jeremy said after the Kookaburras won 4-2 against New Zealand in the evening match.</p>.<p>"Growing up, he taught me toughness, that's for sure. He beat me up a fair bit. He taught me how to be tough and we love each other, and I thank him for that," said Jeremy.</p>.<p>"He always was a bit stronger than me and I always had a target to reach. Always looking up to him, the bigger brother."</p>.<p>There was no sign of sibling rivalry during the match, except when Jeremy used a penalty corner to fire a powerful shot at Leon's goal, teasingly trying out his brother.</p>.<p>With a spectacular save, Leon gloved it on the post.</p>.<p>"I think Jeremy's scored about four this year so far against me so it's good to get a save, finally," he said.</p>
<p>Playing against his younger brother at the Olympic hockey tournament is not something New Zealand goalkeeper Leon Hayward had thought would ever happen.</p>.<p>But on Wednesday, Leon, 31, faced off against his 28-year-old brother Jeremy, who played as a defender for Australia in their match against the Kiwis in a spectator-less stadium at the Tokyo Olympic Games.</p>.<p>"The magnitude of the event is kind of the big thing," said Leon after the game, with his brother standing next to him.</p>.<p>"Jeremy and I have been competitive since we were young. It doesn't matter whether it's cricket or football or whatever, and this is just how it has come about."</p>.<p>The contest between the siblings could happen after Leon "moved across the ditch" - in the words of Jeremy - something he could do because the pair's mother was born in New Zealand. Leon made his international debut for New Zealand in 2019.</p>.<p>While growing up, Leon's tough love had helped his brother reach his targets, Jeremy said after the Kookaburras won 4-2 against New Zealand in the evening match.</p>.<p>"Growing up, he taught me toughness, that's for sure. He beat me up a fair bit. He taught me how to be tough and we love each other, and I thank him for that," said Jeremy.</p>.<p>"He always was a bit stronger than me and I always had a target to reach. Always looking up to him, the bigger brother."</p>.<p>There was no sign of sibling rivalry during the match, except when Jeremy used a penalty corner to fire a powerful shot at Leon's goal, teasingly trying out his brother.</p>.<p>With a spectacular save, Leon gloved it on the post.</p>.<p>"I think Jeremy's scored about four this year so far against me so it's good to get a save, finally," he said.</p>