Rowing: Wanganui pair for NZ crew

Aramoho Wanganui sculler Luke Watts has experience at top level and will adapt well to a sweeping role in the New Zealand University men's lightweight four crew. Photo/Supplied

Aramoho Wanganui Rowing Club (AWRC) rowers Luke Watts and Gus Pawson have been selected for the men's lightweight four in the New Zealand University team to compete in a transtasman test series on Lake Karapiro in July.

Rowing New Zealand has selected four crews to compete in the series from July 1-6 where they race Australia in two 2km races and one 5km race.

AWRC head coach Ian Weenick said both Watts (Victoria University) and Pawson (Auckland University) had thoroughly earned their spots in the New Zealand team. He described both as "hard-working, tenacious young men".

"Both are very good rowers, make no mistake," Weenick said yesterday.

"They probably don't get major recognition because they are not big guys, but they are a pleasure to coach and great guys to have in the club. They are both hard-working, tenacious young men and deserve to be in the New Zealand University team.

"Luke is a fine sculler, but will have to adapt to a sweeping role in the four. Sculling blades are a bit small and are pulled out of the water slightly differently. I'm confident he will adapt well though," Weenick said.

Watts represented New Zealand at the World University Games in Kazan, Russia, in 2012 finishing second in the B final of the single sculls after a fourth in the A final.

He was the youngest and lightest rower at the world university championships and ended up eighth overall.

Pawson was in the AWRC men's club eight crew that won silver at the North Island championships at the Bankstream NZ Rowing Championships in February on Lake Karapiro.

Watts and Pawson will be joined in the men's lightweight four by Matthew Cole from Lincoln University and Jake Guy from Auckland University.