Familiar names missing from Rowing NZ training squad

Emma Twigg. Photo / Photosport.co.nz

A handful of familiar names are missing from Rowing New Zealand's 56-strong summer training squad named on Monday, but only three are expected to be permanent.

Single sculler Emma Twigg signalled after finishing fourth at the Rio Olympics that she was likely to retire, and has taken a two-year leave of absence from the rigours of international competition.

Rowing NZ high performance director Alan Cotter told NZ Newswire that lightweight oarsman Peter Taylor and quadruple sculler Jade Uru were also retiring.

Taylor, who won bronze at the 2012 London Olympics in the lightweight double scull with Uru's brother Storm, was part of the lightweight men's four which finished fifth in Rio.

Jade Uru was part of the quad crew which were a late inclusion for Rio after the Russians withdrew because of a doping infraction. The Kiwis didn't make the final, finishing sixth in their repechage.

Two-time world champion lightweight double scullers Julia Edward and Sophie MacKenzie have indicated they are taking a year off rowing.

The duo finished fourth in their final at the Rio Olympics.

Rowing NZ on Monday named a 56-strong summer training squad, with Cotter saying it aligns with the organisation's small boat focus, but continues the men's and women's developing eights programmes.

Experienced competitors who have competed in two or more Olympics have until November 18 to accept their place, with full-time training resuming on Lake Karapiro on November 28.

Double Olympic gold medallists Mahe Drysdale, Eric Murray and Hamish Bond fall into this category.

Less experienced rowers, who haven't contested an Olympics or only attended the Rio Games, have until October 3 to confirm their acceptance with fulltime training beginning on October 31.

New Zealand summer squad: Women: Genevieve Behrent, Kelsey Bevan, Brooke Donoghue, Emma Dyke, Kirsten Froude, Jackie Gowler, Kerri Gowler, Kirstyn Goodger, Holly Greenslade, Lucy Jonas, Jackie Kiddle, Olivia Loe, Eve Macfarlane, Zoe McBride, Georgia Nugent-O'Leary, Georgia Perry, Kayla Pratt, Grace Prendergast, Beth Ross, Rebecca Scown, Lucy Spoors, Zoe Stevenson, Ruby Tew, Kelsi Walters, Francie Turner (cox). Men: Alistair Bond, Hamish Bond, Michael Brake, George Bridgewater, Drikus Conradie, Cameron Crampton, Toby Cunliffe-Steel, Mahe Drysdale, Matt Dunham, Joshua Earl, Nathan Flannery, Isaac Grainger, Chris Harris, Finn Howard, James Hunter, Stephen Jones, Alex Kennedy, Shaun Kirkham, James Lassche, Adam Ling, Karl Manson, Robbie Manson, Eric Murray, Tom Murray, Brook Robertson, John Storey, Giacomo Thomas, Cameron Webster, Joe Wright, Sam Bosworth (cox), Caleb Shepherd (cox).