Rowing: Duo back to boost coxless four

James Dallinger and Carl Meyer. Photo / Getty Images

A two-year break to freshen up after the disappointment of the Beijing Olympics has paid off for Carl Meyer and James Dallinger.

Both, who were part of the 2007 world title winning coxless four crew but missed out on the Bejing final a year later when they finished fourth in the semifinals, were today named in the national squad to compete in this year's international programme including the world championships at Bled, Slovenia.

Meyer and Dallinger will join Ian Seymour and Tobias Wehr Candler, both of whom were in the eight that made the world final at Karapiro last year, to form a completely different four from last season's national team.

"It was an extremely tough week of trials, and a quick reality check after some time out from the sport in 2010," said Dallinger, who spent his time away becoming a qualified electrician.

"But it is great to be back with Carl though, and this is a very exciting boat to be a part of."

David Eade, Hamish Burson and Jade Uru from the four move into the eight alongside existing crew members Sean O'Neill, Ben Hammond, Chris Harris, Adam Tripp and Tyson Williams.

Ivan Pavich remains in the cox seat and Simon Watson - who was in the bronze medal winning four at Karapiro - is squad reserve after more niggling injury problems.

Rowing New Zealand selectors retained the winning crews from last year's world championships at Lake Karapiro: the men's pair of Eric Murray and Hamish Bond, the women's pair of Juliette Haigh and Rebecca Scown and the men's double scull of Nathan Cohen and Joseph Sullivan.

A change was made to the women's lightweight double scull with Louise Ayling, who took a silver medal in the world champs last November moving into the boat alongside national champion Lucy Strack.

Peter Taylor and Storm Uru, the 2009 world champions, continue in the men's lightweight double, and three times lightweight single sculls world champion Duncan Grant retains his spot.

Despite the loss of his national title to Cohen, four times world champion Mahe Drysdale keeps his single scull seat as does Emma Twigg.

Anna Reymer is back in the women's heavyweight double scull after missing the last world championships through injury and will once again race with Fiona Paterson.

Changes have been made to the women's quad which will now be stroked by Eve McFarlane, who is joined by Fiona Burke, the experienced Louise Trappitt and Sarah Gray.

In the men's quad, long time elite Steve Cottle has secured the place vacated by the retired Nathan Twaddle. Matthew Trott, Robbie Manson and John Storey are retained.

Danny McBride continues in the adaptive single.

The national squad will compete at two World Cup rounds at Hamburg and Lucerne ahead of the world championships.

- NZPA