Teams for Aus-NZ Test Match at QB weekend Silva Superseries final round

In conjunction with the final Silva Superseries racing at Woodhill, June 4-6, the first round of the 2011 Bushrangers V Pinestars Challenge will take place. Teams are as follows:

Oz Women's Team

Bridget Anderson (QLD)
Rachel Effeney (QLD)
Belinda Lawford (ACT)
Mace Neve (ACT)
Aislinn Prendergast (VIC)
Anna Sheldon (QLD)

NZ Women's Team

Amber Morrison Hawke’s Bay
Kate Morrison Hawke’s Bay
Laura Robertson O Hutt Valley
Angela Simpson OBay of Plenty
Rebecca Smith O Bay of Plenty
Georgia Whitla Peninsula & Plains

Oz Men's Team

Evan Barr (VIC)
Joshua Blatchford (NSW)
Lachlan Dow (ACT)
Rob Preston (NSW)
Murray Scown (ACT)
Simon Uppill (SA)
Reserve: Ben Rattray (SA)

NZ Men's Team

Michael Adams Peninsula & Plains
Darren Ashmore O Bay of Plenty
Ross Morrison Hawke’s Bay
Mathew Ogden North West
Thomas Reynolds North West
Toby Scott Auckland

Predictions: With 5 of the 6 NZ men living and training in Auckland, and 4 of the 6 selected for the JWOC and WOC teams this year, it looks highly likely that the men will prevail and repeat last years strong win. Although Oceania Champion Simon Uppill is keen to improve on his one win in the three races at last years Challenge it will be tough to manage even one win given the recent form of Toby Scott and Ross Morrison in particular, and the depth of the rest of the team, any of whom could win on their day. To have a better chance, Australia need to have sent their in-form number one Julian Dent to give the team much more depth to pick up points.

The women are facing a tougher challenge and it will be a closer match, as it was last year. The presence of three speedy juniors hitting top form before JWOC (Simpson, Robertson, Kate Morrison) should ensure a win or two, with the more experienced elites adding more wins and depth - but the Australian team has a similar feel about it (although the WOC team is yet to be announced) with the youngsters in particular a possibility to get close to a win.

Possibly the tightest racing of the weekend will be between the two juniors, Ogden &  Scott, who won two races of three last year, and the WOC reps Morrison, Adams who won't be hitting peak form for a month or so later.

But never, never write off an Australian team in any sport. And perhaps significantly, most Woodhill training sessions for the Aucklanders of late have been in the dark...

In any case, it will be a hugely valuable competition for the JWOC team-members prior to heading to Poland, regardless of terrain-type, with three days of intense competition. And for all elites entered.