NZ rowers brough back to earth with proverbial bang after mediocre semi-finals...

NZ rowers were brought back to earth with the proverbial bang after mediocre semi-final performances at the Beijing games.

There are a host of puns all sitting there to be used: Its not over until the fat lady sings is one that comes to mind.

Shock and awe - shades of the Rugby World Cup for New Zealand rowers.

Were the emotions seeping out after this mediocrity? Did they get too far ahead of themselves?

But lets not judge them too harshly yet, because it is not over until it is over, and we still have five boats through to the finals.

Three times world champion, Mahe Drysdale, the two metre tall, 100kg, single sculler, was sick for days and lost 4kg from both ends. He is now keeping his food down and regaining his massive strength again. He should be fit for the finals - whether he is good enough will be proven on Saturday? Time will tell!

One thing these semi-finals showed was that world championship form means nothing at the Olympics. There was some great performances by some no-names there. There may well be more great performances in the finals.

Until later.