KEY POINTS:
Twaddle, Waddell and Trott might sound like the sort of law firm that specialises in "no win, no fee" type cases, but they are also three principal figures in one of the most compelling dramas of the summer.
Nathan Twaddle's fate has been decided - he will partner
George Bridgewater in the men's coxless pairs at Beijing - while, it seems certain, Rob Waddell still holds Matthew Trott's fate in his hands.
Trott could be the man to make way for Rob Waddell's Olympic resurgence.
Waddell and boom Invercargill sculler Nathan Cohen trialled the double sculls on Lake Karapiro on Friday morning and indications are that is the preferred pairing for the Beijing Olympics. However, that combination is heavily dependent on medical opinion and, more pertinently, Waddell's state of mind. The champion oarsman is understandably reluctant to put himself in a crew if he thinks there is even the slightest chance his heart condition could trip them up.
Cohen and Trott were a new combination last season and exceeded expectations when making the world championship final at Munich. However, Rowing New Zealand high performance director Andrew Matheson said both Trott and Cohen knew from the start of the process that all seats were up for grabs and were philosophical about the situation.
Meanwhile Nathan Twaddle said the constant speculation over where the vanquished single sculler, either Waddell or Mahe Drysdale, would end up had weighed heavily on his psyche. Many thought the loser of the single sculls quest might see Twaddle moved aside for a new partner for the super-strong George Bridgewater in the coxless pairs.
But the selectors decided to stay with Twaddle and Bridgewater as a pair and instead look at the make-up of the men's double sculls.
"It's added a dimension of pressure," Twaddle admitted, "but it encouraged me to train harder. Fear can be a wonderful motivator."
It is to Twaddle's credit that he managed to channel that fear into a summer of hard work rather than disenchantment. In a sport full of 'earthy' characters, Twaddle is happier than most to get his hands dirty.
He is also a media favourite with his ability to turn out a decent one-liner for every occasion. While Bridgewater is happy to play the straight man, a smile is rarely far from the Whakatane-raised oarsman's face.
Put simply, he loves his life as an elite sportsman.
"Even when you're completely knackered, it's a great job. I can still sleep in the middle of the day and get to eat like a horse who's been let loose in the grain bin," he said.
