Eric Murray and Hamish Bond. Photo / Christine Cornege.
New Zealand are virtually assured of at least one Olympic gold, with news the British men's pair have conceded defeat to rowers Hamish Bond and Eric Murray and moved into a different boat for the Olympics.
Bond and Murray were already the hottest of favourites considering they are undefeated since
teaming up in 2009.
Their run has included 14 consecutive defeats of their closest rivals Andy Triggs-Hodge and Peter Reed. Many of those wins have been by close margins but Triggs-Hodge and Reed have had the white flag raised for them and been moved into the men's coxless four at London.
Great Britain rowing men's coach Jurgen Grobler considers Triggs-Hodge and Reed his two top oarsmen and has made it clear that consolidating a genuine gold-medal opportunity takes priority over an outside chance in the pair.
The four is traditionally Britain's flagship Olympic boat, although they will come under pressure from the Australian crew, dubbed the Oarsome Foursome. Between them, Britain (2000, 2004 and 2008) and Australia (1992, 1996) have won the last five gold medals in the event.
