Rowing: Champions assist Waikato cause

Boosted by a swag of New Zealand world champions, the Waikato University men's and women's crews emerged victorious over international opponents.

The men's eight beat a big Washington crew to win the Harry Mahon Trophy while the women's eight were too good for an Australian combination on the Waikato River.

The men, including pairs world champion Nathan Twaddle, took the lead after an early exchange of oars and weren't challenged again.

The Australian women's eight included four of the rowers who won the world championship eights in Gifu, Japan, a week ago but they were outclassed by a home crew that could call on the Evers-Swindell twins, Juliette Haigh and Nicky Coles.

Australia took an early lead but Waikato edged past and extended their lead to win by six boat lengths.