Surf Lifesaving: Aussies loom large in lifesaving series

Kiwi Ironman Cory Hutchings. Photo / Supplied

New Zealand ironman legend Cory Hutchings rates this Australian surf team as the best he has seen for more than 15 years but is still encouraging the Kiwis to be positive.

Mt Maunganui hosts a busy week of surf lifesaving competition beginning today with the annual Northern Regional carnival (the second biggest carnival to the nationals) that the international athletes will use as preparation for the DHL International Surf Challenge.

The ISC is a three-test series held on January 31, February 2 and February 4 with seven teams, Australia, Australian Development Team, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, NZ Development Team and the Great Britain team in action.

It is followed by the Lion Foundation NZ Surf League on February 5-6.

There would be no better way to celebrate the centenary of Surf Lifesaving in New Zealand than beating highly favoured arch rivals Australia.

It's a rivalry that dates back to 1937 and the highly rated Australian team, with world champion Shannon Eckstein, ironman legend Zane Holmes, as well as current ironwoman world champion Kristyl Smith, is primed to spoil the party.

"It is a huge task ahead as the Aussie team is full of world champions," said Hutchings, who won 11 New Zealand ironman surf titles.

"But they are not unbeatable.

"They bleed just like us and if you attack them they are vulnerable.

"They are a quality side and they have some world class athletes but you have to be positive and don't show them too much respect.

"We read about them and know what they have achieved and are almost in awe of them.

"You are not going to beat them if you go into a competition in that mindset - they need to back their own ability."

New Zealand is still smarting after finishing second at the Rescue 2010 World Championships in Egypt, narrowly beaten by Australia despite a handful of outstanding performances.

The 12-strong Kiwi team has quality across the board and the New Zealand coach Scott Bartlett, a former Australian team member, agreed the key to upsetting Australia is belief.

"Physically we are in great condition but mentally we need to be tougher," said Bartlett.

"The close miss we had at the Worlds in Egypt makes you tougher and also hungrier.

"We are getting closer all the time and it's time to step up and take the opportunity to win."

Bartlett is very familiar with the strength of the Aussie team and transtasman rivalry.

"It is intense but there is great camaraderie as well," Bartlett.

"There is plenty of mutual respect and they are great mates but once the competition begins it is all on and no-one holds anything back."

The Aussies are favoured in the water events (surf swimming, board races, ski races, ironman) though New Zealand's beach sprinters like Morgan Foster and Paul Cracroft-Wilson are regarded as among the best in the world.

New Zealand will look to two-time New Zealand ironwoman champion Nikki Cox to go head-to-head with Smith.

Ironmen Mike Janes and five-time national ironman champion Daniel Moodie will take on Eckstein and Holmes.

Eckstein has recently won his sixth Kellogg's Nutri-Grain series title and is the current world champion, while Holmes won the last two rounds after nearly two years out of the sport with back problems.

But Eckstein admitted to feeling fatigued after a long season in 2010.

"It's nice [to win], but I've said it before that I probably don't deserve to win this year and I haven't been hungry like I usually am," said Eckstein.

"I didn't have a break after Aussies, I captained the Australian team to Egypt and I've been going straight for two years. It's been tough but I haven't had a break."

"They'll be at their best," added Bartlett.

"We shouldn't expect anything less when they line up for Australia."

Bartlett and Hutchings expect that the local conditions will be a point of advantage.

"Our team ... knows the Mount break well so that will help as well as the hometown support."

"That local break at the Mount is a funny one and if the swell gets up it will be tough for the Aussies because they won't be used to it," added Hutchings.

"The Kiwis need points of advantage because the Australian team is one that makes very few mistakes and are pretty uncompromising."

For Nathan Hight, the general manager of Surf Lifesaving NZ, hosting the ISC is a huge honour.

"We don't get this opportunity very often," said Hight referring to 2003 as the last time the ISC was held in New Zealand when it was a tri-nations event.

"This is a fitting way to celebrate our centenary from the sport side of things and we are pleased that our international allies have come to the party."

Hight urged New Zealanders to get to Mount Maunganui to enjoy the show.

"It is the very best talent in the world when it comes to surf lifesaving. When you look at the Aussie team they are not taking it easy on anyone and seeing them in action alongside our best is going to be something truly special."

Beach battles

The ISRC originally started in 1939 as the Transtasman Series; a competition between Australia and New Zealand. In 1999 South Africa joined the event and the Tri-Nations Challenge was formed. Since 2005 the event includes Canada, Japan and the UK.

New Zealand team

Paul Cracroft-Wilson (Fitzroy), Morgan Foster (South Brighton), Michael Janes (Midway), Travis Mitchell (Mairangi Bay), Daniel Moodie (Westshore), Andrew Newton (Mount Maunganui), Madison Boon (Mairangi Bay), Nikki Cox (Westshore), Ayla Dunlop-Barrett (New Plymouth Old Boys), Teneale Hatton (Orewa), Chanel Hickman (South Brighton), Kirsty Wannan (Piha). Boat crew: Titahi Bay (Ben Ashby, Jamie Fitzgerald, Tim Marsden, Dean Ellis, Paul McVicar). Coach: Scott Bartlett.

New Zealand development team

Max Beattie (Omanu), Toby Harris (Wainui), Steven Kent (Titahi Bay), Michael Lee (Mairangi Bay), Nick Malcolm (Mairangi Bay), Cory Taylor (Midway), Rachel Clarke (Orewa), Kendall Elliott (Mount Maunganui), Bailey Elliott (Mairangi Bay), Katrina Madill (Mount Maunganui), Natalie Peat (Papamoa), Arna Wright (Mount Maunganui)