Bowls: Clash of old rivals warm-up for world champs

New Zealand's chances at the world championships in Scotland later in the year will be tested against Australia in the transtasman test series starting in Rotorua today.

The annual series sees the two nations go head to head in all four disciplines - men's and women's singles, pairs, triples and fours - from today to Thursday.

They will also each field men's and women's development A teams in each discipline.

The only exception sees the hosts playing an under-30 men's side against Australia's under-25 men's side in the development team match-ups.

New Zealand men's manager Peter Shaw expects the clash to be just as competitive as it is with other sporting contests between the two nations.

"Australia are the benchmark at this level of men's bowls, they are not deficient in any area and have a great record since being runners-up in the world championships four years ago," Shaw said.

However, he said the New Zealand selectors had chosen two teams who were equal to the task, with all 10 players in form.

"The junior team is one of the best to have been selected for New Zealand," he said.

Asia-Pacific gold medallist Russell Meyer is the only player selected from outside New Zealand, with the rest picked on form from the national championships.

Sydney-based Meyer will play singles and team up with Hong Kong Classic champion Paul Girdler, of Dunedin, in the pairs.

National fours champion Gary Lawson, of Christchurch, will skip the triples and fours.

Lawson said there was not much between the two teams and expected the result to be as close as last year's series, which was decided on the final end.

Women's manager Ann Muir wants to erase last year's result with an improved performance.

"There's no reason why we can't pull it off," Muir said.

Jan Khan is a late replacement for New Zealand's most experienced player, Marlene Castle, who withdrew from the national team for personal reasons.

The Asia-Pacific gold medal-winning four of Sharon Sims, Jo Edwards (skip), Wendy Jensen and Val Smith are reunited for the first time since that tournament.

Southland's Michelle Preston makes her national debut to skip the development pairs and fours.

The match-up in the singles between multiple Asia-Pacific gold medallist Karen Murphy and Khan is expected to be one of the highlights.

Play starts at 9.30am with the men's singles and fours, and women's pairs and triples.

The men's pairs and triples, and women's singles and fours will start at 1.30pm.

- NZPA