Joshi

Well NZ has had famines in the last few olympics in cycling considering the amount of talent they have. But must say we haven't come across so much talent particularly in women's endurance before. But I still lack confidence in them because just like rowing you can't gauge anything on past performance unless you were Hamish Bond and Eric Murray who practically forced out rival athletes from other nations to seek other boats. Because the gold was literally there's already.

Pretty fair reflection on NZs past championship results. But I guess what gracenote can't forsee is in rowing in particular NZ will be welcoming back 10 olympic medalists from the US College system back into the scene, and have substantially already bolstered quite a number of crews. Im expecting at least 4 medals from the womens canoe sprint squad. Emma Fairweather would be lucky to medal at the Olympics, same with Dylan Schmidt. Not convinced about men's team winning 7s gold. Cycling for NZ is too hit and miss who knows what they'll do.

Will probably end up with around 165-170 odd athletes. Our smallest since Athens. No womens hockey, a reduced rowing squad with no eights. Will probably reject a few quotas and they'll get allocated elsewhere as we are the gift that keeps on giving. Just looking at who qualified and what I think we will reject quota in, it will probably be Archery (2), Artistic Swimming (maybe?) (2), Taekwondo (2) and 1-2 Shooting quotas that will get allocated

I doubt the NZ Mens 7s team will be winning gold or even medalling. But I can however see Lisa Carrington contributing to 3 gold medals however.

Also Hawaii (according to Native Hawaiians an illegal US state) would be the powerhouse of surfing.

1. There's no money in boxing and 2. Those that partake in combat sports and with NZ's relative success in the UFC and MMA they'd rather be Israel Adesanya instead (not the greatest role model to follow however).

Coming from NZ where cricket is only popular among the private schools and upper class snobs, I don't feel it warrants a place in the Olympics. For the mere fact that cricket has a lot of corruption particularly match fixing. There's actually nothing wrong with the nuances of the game if you can sit for a 5 day test but I feel as a purest who actually enjoys test cricket and not really a fan of T20, cricket in the Olympics just wouldn't sit well.

I'm actually very surprised only 1 NZ crew is out of olympic contention. This is perhaps the weakest and least experienced rowing team we've sent to the world championships.

No medals for NZ either. A 4th, 5th, 6th and a 7th plus 2 top 10s. A complete flop by the pole vaulters. Seriously lacking some top 2 inches. Mentally weak.

Let's hope we see a Carrington and Fisher rivalry in the WK1 500m next year. All of NZ want to see it.

Quite frankly Oceania really is only 2 countries. Also, the Olympics is a worldwide event not the European Benefit Games. The Olympics has been dominated no matter what sport or event it is by the Northern Hemisphere and that is primarily not down to purely athletic talent but geography. Example, accessibility. 90% of all World Championships seem to be in the NH particularly Europe. The sports that are in the Olympics one could argue are mainly European but that's purely down to economics and politics.

Not sure the Dutch were going to win gold regardless of the fall but what drama.

I really hope England bring that same approach v. Spain. Now what to do with Lauren James? Do they start her? I would think they would. Just another physical presence that the Spanish may well struggle to contain...

England the better team to be honest. Deservedly into the final.

This game is shades of Eden Park last night. England back in front.