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Dunkley-Smith switches to men's coxless four boat

 

Dunkley-Smith switches to men's coxless four boat

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AOC
Dunkley-Smith switches to men's coxless four boat
Olympic silver medallist Joshua Dunkley-Smith has been switched into the Australian men's coxless four for this month's world rowing championships to replace injured Alexander Lloyd.

ROWING: Olympic silver medallist Joshua Dunkley-Smith has been switched into the Australian men's coxless four for this month's world rowing championships to replace injured Alexander Lloyd.

Dunkley-Smith, who won silver in the event at the 2012 London Olympics, had been in the men's eight preparing for the world titles in Aiguebelette, France, which double as the qualification regatta for next year's Rio Olympics.

But with Lloyd ruled out by a broken collarbone after crashing his bike, selectors opted for the coxless four experience of Dunkley-Smith over reserves Joshua Hicks and Christopher Cunningham-Reid.

One of those rowers will now take Dunkley-Smith's place in the eight, with their coach Tim McLaren to make the call.

Dunkley-Smith, 26, joins William Lockwood, also a 2012 Olympic silver medallist, in the coxless four with Alexander Hill and Spencer Turrin.

Chairman of selectors and head coach Chris O'Brien said Victorian Dunkley-Smith was the obvious choice.

"He has a proven track history in the boat having won silver at the London 2012 Olympic Games as well as recent world rowing cup and championship medals in the boat class," O'Brien said.

"While disruption to any crew is not ideal leading into the world championships and Olympic qualification regatta, we believe that the changes will lead to a relatively smooth transition."

The change doesn't mean Dunkley-Smith will hold the berth for Rio should the boat qualify.

The men's four are looking to repeat their gold medal performance at the recent Lucerne World Cup regatta.

AAP

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