RNZ boss supports Kiwi pair

Rowing New Zealand chief executive Simon Peterson has thrown his support behind double Olympic gold medal-winning pair Eric Murray and Hamish Bond, following startling claims in their new book.

Murray and Bond’s autobiography, The Kiwi Pair, says five years ago Murray and wife Jackie were called into a meeting with Bond, RNZ selectors Conrad Robertson and Barrie Mabbott, high performance manager Alan Cotter and coach Dick Tonks to discuss whether or not Murray should return home before the 2011 world championships for the birth of his first child.

Bond was apparently asked privately by the selection panel whether he wanted his crewmate kicked out so he could row with someone else.

In the book, due out today, Murray wrote that convener of selectors Robertson told him ‘‘men didn’t come home from war just because women were having children.’’

‘‘It was the most insane thing I had ever heard, in the worst meeting of my life,’’ Murray said.

‘‘To see my wife demeaned in that way because we’d chosen to have a baby was absolutely appalling.’’

Murray returned home and the pair went on to win the world championships and maintain their unbeaten record until the present day.

Peterson yesterday confirmed the matter was dealt with at the time but insisted such behaviour did not reflect the rest of the organisation.

‘‘We’re disappointed obviously in the behaviour of two people that related to Rowing New Zealand; one a former coach and one a current selector,’’ Peterson said referring to Tonks and Robertson.

Peterson said Robertson was handed a warning over his actions and RNZ apologised to Jackie and Eric Murray.

Robertson remains the convenor of selectors, although Peterson added: ‘‘There’s a review of selectors and selection at the end of the Olympic cycle, which is now, so everything is up for review, including his role as convenor.’’

Peterson’s comments appear to be at odds with those of Robertson, who told NZME on Wednesday that it was the first time the issue had been brought to his attention.

‘‘We have many meetings with lots of crews, including the men’s pair, for different reasons at various times,’’ he said.

‘‘I can’t recall this word-forword at present but over the years there have been a number of issues that need serious discussion.’’

The book also goes into a heated exchange between Bond and Tonks, who the pair fell out with in 2011.

Bond said he requested a training off so he could spend a weekend with his now-wife Lizzie before a three-month stint overseas.

But Tonks didn’t like the idea and let fly with a raft of expletives, abusing them, Bond said.

‘‘Those were the words that changed everything for me: the beginning of the end of any meaningful relationship I had had with Dick Tonks,’’ Bond wrote.

Tonks is no longer contracted to Rowing New Zealand.

His short-term deal came to an end at the conclusion of the Olympics having initially had his contract terminated for coaching Chinese crews without permission last year.

Tonks could not be reached for comment but Peterson said Bond and Murray’s account of events were accurate.