Rowing: Second set of trials will test squad

Nathan Twaddle says trials will keep everyone honest. Photo / Greg Bowker

A key change to the Rowing New Zealand (RNZ) programme will see the squad face a second set of trials when they return from overseas in July.

Since the first trials, crews have been selected and rowers are hard into training for their overseas trip in June.

But, when they return, they will face further scrutiny to ensure the right people are in the right boats. New Zealand has only kept the one squad together in the past to make the most of limited resources overseas.

"It gives us a chance to re-evaluate the team and the results," says Rowing NZ high performance manager Alan Cotter. "If we need to change anything, we can."

While a number of crews have been re-jigged from last year for the sake of speed, there are only six athletes who have not competed at an elite world championships.

In the main adjustments, last year's bronze medallist Emma Feathery makes way for former world champion Juliette Haigh in the women's pair after her sabbatical. Haigh joins incumbent Rebecca Scown.

Haigh says even though she considered sculling, going back to the sweep oar pair was the easiest boat for her to manage.

"In trials week I had a couple of good races with Rebecca - the selectors directed me there and it made the most sense. She's someone I can easily work alongside - she has a similar mindset. In contrast, there is no room for Nathan Twaddle in his former pair boat, given Hamish Bond and Eric Murray are the current world champions.

"The Olympic bronze medallist is in a new crew - a quadruple sculls boat with rookie John Storey, Paul Gerritsen and former double sculler Matthew Trott. Twaddle says he's refreshed, coming back from a season off dealing with elbow surgery and first-time fatherhood.

"I gave myself a big hill to climb. I made the most of my time off but returned pretty unfit. Swapping into sculling made it tough too. I had no desire to get back into the pair. The fitness has now returned but the technical side of sculling has been frustrating at times. Then again, I came back to win medals, not jump on the gravy train."

Trott has been replaced in the double by Joseph Sullivan, a three-time sculling champion at under-23 level. Nathan Cohen remains in the boat for a fourth straight season.

Simon Watson, a member of last year's coxless four is the only injury concern. He's out for at least two months with a hip problem.

As veteran representatives, Haigh and Twaddle believe the two-trial system can work.

"My guess is it will produce good results at the World Cups as people try to hold onto seats," says Haigh. "It is a long year with the world championships a lot later than usual. But at least it means we can train at home."

"It will keep everyone honest," says Twaddle. "There will be more motivation to train hard in that period when we get home."

The team of 29 will head overseas in June - the second highest number of rowers New Zealand has ever sent on an international campaign; 36 started at the world championships in 2007 but that included men's and women's eights.

Itinerary

* World Cup: Munich, June 18-20.
* Henley Royal Regatta: June 30-July 4.
* World Cup: Lucerne, July 9-11.
* Crews (new elite athletes in bold)
* Men's single scull: Mahé Drysdale.
* Women's single scull: Emma Twigg.
* Men's lightweight single scull: Duncan Grant.
* Men's pair: Eric Murray, Hamish Bond.
* Women's pair: Juliette Haigh, Rebecca Scown.
* Men's double scull: Joseph Sullivan and Nathan Cohen.
* Women's double scull: Anna Reymer and Fiona Paterson.
* Men's lightweight double scull: Storm Uru and Peter Taylor.
* Men's quadruple scull: Matthew Trott, Nathan Twaddle, Paul Gerritsen, John Storey.
* Women's quadruple scull: Paula Twining, Louise Trappitt, Emma Feathery, Harriet Austin.
* Men's coxless four I: Jade Uru, Sean O'Neill, Hamish Burson, David Eade.
* Men's coxless four II: Michael Arms, Ben Hammond, Ian Seymour, Tyson Williams.