Govers, still nursing a pectoral injury in his arm, scored the opening goal from a drag flick in the second period of the game in the final against Argentina. 

But Argentina, the Olympic champions, came back with the equaliser and then hit the winning goal in the second half for a 2-1 win. 

The Argentinians had earlier beaten the Australians 2-0 in the pool game. 

This was Govers’ first goal since he last played in 2016. He also missed the Rio Olympics but was recalled to the senior squad this year by the new coach. 

“It was great to get a goal in my comeback and also great to play again with the boys after two years,” Govers said after the match. 

“It is still a long way to the top after the injury I got in the gym but I will go back home to recover and hopefully stake a place in the World Cup this year,” he said. 

Govers’ younger brother Blake was given a break for this tournament and was not selected. 

Flynn Ogilvie, Illawarra’s other Kookaburra, also played a sterling game up front with many assists and said the Argentinians were a tough and physical team. 

“We missed many chances in the game but their defence is very strong and Vivaldi in goal was hard to beat,” Ogilvie said.

The other teams in the tournament were Malaysia and Japan who the Kookaburras beat 5-2 and 3-0 respectively to advance to the final. 

Govers and Ogilvie will now head back home to prepare for the national league. They will also attend a training camp in Perth before selection for the World Cup in November. 

Tristan White withdrew from the senior squad for family reasons and will miss the World Cup. But he will be closely watched by new coach Colin Batch during the national league for future selection. 

Batch said he would have an eye on White and Jack Hayes during the national league next month.