Surf Lifesaving: Moodie doubtful for Mount Maunganui meet

New Zealand ironman champion Daniel Moodie. Photo / APN

New Zealand ironman champion Daniel Moodie has thrown a scare into the national team ahead of the opening test of the International Surf Challenge in Mount Maunganui tomorrow.

The Hawke's Bay surf lifesaver injured a hand in training and needed stitches, with the 23-year-old needing to pass a fitness test tomorrow morning before taking on Australia, Britain, Japan and Canada later in the day.

It means long-serving New Zealand captain Glenn Anderson - who has been resting since last year's world championships - may get a recall after making a comeback at this weekend's Northern Regional championships.

Anderson, 30, won the NRC surf race and finished third in the ironman, and pronounced himself ready to don black speedos if called upon.

"I'm sure Dan will race if he's able but if the New Zealand team need me, I'm more than happy to help out," Anderson said. "I was really surprised how I went this weekend, although I was more looking to use it to build into the Surf League next week, rather than the international series. I'd love a little cameo role if I get the call-up though - there's still a bit of life left in me yet!"

Moodie hurt his left hand on Friday in big surf at the Mount, when the handle sheared off his board and a piece of fibreglass sliced him.

New Zealand coach Scott Bartlett was happy to leave it to the last possible moment before including the five-time national champion, with two more tests on Wednesday and Friday to get through.

World champions Australia present a daunting challenge to the Kiwis, with a stacked lineup of past and present world champions.

They'll be led by ironman superstars Shannon Eckstein, Zane Holmes and Kristyl Smih, with Smith and Eckstein winning world titles in Egypt last year.

Holmes and current world champion Shannon Eckstein are the sole survivors from the last big international carnival in New Zealand, the 2003 Tri-Nations in Mount Maunganui.

The NRCs and International Surf Challenge form part of the nine-day Festival of Surf Sports, helping celebrate 100 years of the surf lifesaving movement in New Zealand.

- NZPA