Hockeyroos coach David Bell fears players could become like robots if allowed to wear ear pieces on the field.

His concerns came after several Dutch players were caught wearing ear pieces on the field in a pool match at the women's hockey World Cup in Perth on Friday.

Bell dismissed suggestions the Netherlands camp had employed the tactics because its own penalty corner signals had been filmed by the opposition.

"They should get real," Bell said before Sunday's clash between tournament heavyweights and arch rivals Australia and the Netherlands.

"They may have suggested that because they are doing it to everyone else - I think that is a ridiculous comment."

The controversial incident mirrored the furore sparked at the 1999 cricket World Cup when then South African coach Bob Woolmer barked instructions to late South African captain Hansie Cronje through similar means.

In a curt statement, World Cup director Janet Ellis said the future use of electronic devices would be banned, as they were "contrary to the spirit of the game and may prejudice the interests of hockey".

The Netherlands appealed the decision, stating there was nothing specific in the rules outlawing the use of ear pieces.

But the sport's governing body, FIH, upheld its original ruling and hinted it would investigate the matter further after the 16-nation tournament.

Bell said the use of ear pieces would provide a "huge advantage" for any team employing them.

"There is a potentially huge advantage, to be able to make calls late, and call positions on the field, particularly if you are up high," Bell said.

"Sport is about players making decisions on the field - this game is a game of uncertainties, and this type of tactic could take a lot of that away.

"We don't want players to become robotic."

Former Hockeyroo and England coach Tricia Heberle backed Bell's stand.

Australian captain Katrina Powell didn't blame the Dutch for taking advantage of a loophole in the law, but said teams should be competing on an equal playing field.

"That teams starting on equal terms is the point," she said.

"There is no rule and the Dutch have seen the chance to get a slight edge and have gone ahead."

With Australia not having beaten the Netherlands since the Sydney Olympics two years ago, the motivation to win was keen even before the ear piece controversy.

But Bell felt the Hockeyroos' excellent 3-1 win over Commonwealth Games conqueror England had his team stepping up to another level.

"We have three very important games left, but our focus is Holland," he said.

"We showed a big lift from the Ireland game, particularly in midfield, and we need to continue that improvement."

Dutch coach Marc Lammers felt his team needed two victories from three remaining pool matches to be guaranteed a place in the last four.

"If we lose six points in the next two games then it is all over," he said.

"Playing Australia in Australia will be our toughest challenge and we cannot look beyond that.

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