The championship men’s pair event at the 2025 Queensland State Championships promises to be a thrilling contest, with a highly competitive field set to take on the 2000m course at the Queensland State Rowing Centre on Saturday at 08:15 AM. With a mix of seasoned competitors and promising young talent, the race is expected to showcase exceptional technical prowess and raw power.
The Contenders
KAND Rowing Club – Miller Rowe & Darcy Watter
The KAND duo of Miller Rowe and Darcy Watter enter the competition as firm favourites. Watter‘s impressive track record includes a bronze medal in the U23 Men’s Pair at the Australian Rowing Championships 2024 (ARC24), gold in the U23 men’s coxless four, and a bronze medal finish in the U23 men’s eight. His international experience at the U23 World Rowing Championships, where he secured fourth in the men’s coxed four, further solidifies his credentials. Rowe, also an Australian Junior representative, brings depth to the pairing with his experience in Queensland’s King’s Cup Eight, which finished fifth at ARC24. Their blend of experience and raw speed makes them the pair to beat.
KAND RC/University of Queensland BC – Andrew Weightman & Tom Coates
The composite crew of Andrew Weightman from UQBC and Tom Coates from KAND presents a formidable challenge. Weightman, a consistent performer at ARC24, secured bronze in the U23 men’s quad sculls and silver in the U21 men’s single sculls. His selection for Queensland’s men’s youth eight, which took silver, demonstrates his pedigree. Coates, meanwhile, has solid experience in open events, placing seventh in the open men’s pair at ARC24 and winning the men’s open pair at the recent QSRC Club Series #2. This combination of sculling and sweep experience could make them a serious threat for the top spot.
UQBC – Samuel Forbes & Thomas Stevens
The reigning U19 pair champions at ARC24, Forbes and Stevens, have proven their ability to perform under pressure. They dominated the U19 men’s coxless four and played a crucial role in Queensland’s men’s youth eight silver-medal finish. Their recent international experience at the World Rowing Beach Sprint Championships, where Forbes claimed silver and bronze, adds another layer to their competitive edge. The challenge for them will be stepping up against more experienced senior crews.
Dark Horses
UQBC – Lex Tucker & Monty Martin
Tucker and Martin bring solid experience to the table, having won gold in the U21 men’s coxed four at ARC24. Both athletes were part of the Queensland men’s youth eight, which secured silver. They could surprise some of the more favoured crews with their strong technical foundation and a history of top finishes.
Toowong – David Carter & Moss Murphy
Though lacking recent ARC24 results, Carter and Murphy have shown glimpses of potential in smaller regattas. Murphy, in particular, has been transitioning from sculling to sweep, finishing fourth in the B-final of the U23 single sculls. Their adaptability and potential make them an intriguing crew to watch.
Prediction
This event is set to be a battle of experience versus youthful exuberance. The proven track record of KAND’s Miller Rowe & Darcy Watter gives them the edge as favourites for gold. The composite pairing of Weightman & Coates from KAND/UQBC could push them hard and may even cause an upset with their strength and experience. Meanwhile, the youthful duo of Forbes & Stevens are likely to be in contention for a podium spot, leveraging their recent success at the junior level.
Predicted Podium:
- KAND – Rowe & Watter
- KAND/UQBC – Weightman & Coates
- UQBC – Forbes & Stevens
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