KEY POINTS:
The contrast couldn't have been greater - Rob Waddell, one of history's greatest scullers marking his return to Olympic competition and Nathan Cohen, a 22-year-old making his debut.
Together they combined for a performance that didn't touch perfection, but was enough to win their heat and propel them into Wednesday's semifinals.
The double, one of five New Zealand winners on day one of the rowing, were pleased to be tested by a feisty Belarusian crew who held on longer than they expected.
"We didn't know what to expect and, to be honest, we didn't expect that from the Belrausians, probably the Germans more than anyone else," Waddell said of the race that saw them assert their superiority in the final 500m only.
"We went in expecting to have to race to the line and anything better than that was a pleasant surprise. We didn't get that pleasant surprise," he said chuckling. "It was ideal; the last thing you want is to have a lazy week and suddenly at semifinals time find you're behind and you're not feeling great."
The 33-year-old was quick to point out this double is very much a 50-50 deal, even saying that Cohen "keeps him in line". Cohen for his part agreed, though said Waddell was "still the boss".
"It's been really easy," Cohen said of his transition to rowing with one of the legends of the sport. "It's the environment he's created. He's actually been very open and it's been 50-50.
"He listens to me as much as I listen to him."
