Trans Tasman glory on the horizon
Lawn bowls' fiercest rivalry will reignite tomorrow (2/3) when Australia tackles New Zealand in the opening Trans Tasman test in Invercargill.
With newly appointed coach Steve Glasson at the helm for the first time, a powerful Australian team, consisting of five men and five women, will attempt to retain the three trophies on offer after sweeping the Black Jacks in Bundaberg last year.
Having conquered both Scotland and England during last week's Moama International, the Australian team will be full of confidence ahead of the three test series, but Glasson said his troops cannot take the Black Jacks for granted.
"Whilst our prayers, hearts and thoughts are with the New Zealanders at this time," Glasson said.
"I know when the siren sounds for the first test tomorrow morning; no quarter will be given from either side in the hunt for the prized Trans Tasman test series.
"We come here knowing all too well that New Zealand is going to be tough to beat, especially in their own backyard.
"However, the Aussies are in great touch, have settled extremely well and are relishing the chance to reignite this fierce rivalry with our great rivals."
Leading the charge in the singles will be world number three Aron Sherriff and world number six Kelsey Cottrell.
In a sign of faith from the national selectors, the Delhi Commonwealth Games silver medal winning combination of Brett Wilkie, Wayne Turley and Mark Casey have maintained their positions in the men's triples and will also contest the fours with Mark Berghofer, who will partner Sherriff in the pairs, upfront.
In the women's team, Claire Duke is the only omission from the line-up which competed in Delhi, with the Trans Tasman test series featuring one less representative than the XIX Commonwealth Games.
Cottrell retains the singles role, having won bronze on the sub-continent, and will also skip St Johns Park teammates Sharyn Renshaw and Julie Keegan in the triples.
In the pairs, Lynsey Armitage and Natasha Van Eldik will continue their growing partnership, with Keegan skipping the fours.
The three test series runs from March 2 to 4.
Meanwhile, the Australian under-25 team to meet New Zealand in Adelaide later this month has also been announced.
Leading the charge in the women's singles will be reigning under-25 world champion Sam Shannahan, while Junior World Cup bronze medallist Mat Pietersen will spearhead the men's team.
The team was confirmed today by Glasson, along with national selectors Jenny Harragon and Sam Clough, who have been reappointed for a further 12 months.
