Kiwi Olympic great Drysdale tempers expectations for NZ rowers in Paris

Kiwi sporting great Mahe Drysdale suggests New Zealanders should temper their expectations in regard to the fortunes of the NZ rowing contingent at the upcoming Paris Olympics.

At Tokyo 2020, New Zealand's five-medal haul on the water made rowing officially New Zealand's most successful event in Olympic history, with a total of 29 to surpass athletics (26).

Twice Olympics gold medallist Drysdale acknowledges there's some promising young rowers who'll be donning the black lycra in France, but believes the squad lacks the definitive frontrunners of past Games.

"This is probably the first time since Sydney that we haven't had a really big Olympic gold favourite going in," Drysdale told SENZ Breakfast.

"I don't think any one of the teams is an anchor for a gold. But we've probably got three crews that have an opportunity to medal and win that gold medal. So, I think we'll be slightly down on some of the previous Olympics."

Three of the five medals in Tokyo were gold, earned by Kerri Gowler and Grace Prendergast in the women's coxless pair, Emma Twigg in the women's single sculls, and the prestigious men's eight crew, in which Hamish Bond secured his third gold in as many Games.

The five-time Halberg sportsman of the years says those accomplishments in Japan represented the end of an era, of sorts.

"Tokyo was kind of a culmination of the great success we've had, including those performances in the eights," he noted.

"But I would say we should bring home three or four medals, which is exciting."

The most experienced of this year's group is single sculler Twigg, who'll compete at her fifth Olympics in Paris.

The 37-year-old will be gunning to replicate her golden day in Tokyo, but to do so will have to get past rival and current world champion Karolien Florijn from the Netherlands, who is unbeaten over the past two years.

Drysdale's confident Twigg's wealth of experience will empower her to deliver under the brightest lights.

"She's been beaten by the Dutch girl, the last couple of races but she knows how to do it," Drysdale told host Sam Ackerman.

"She's one I very much hope can surprise a few people and put it all together on the day."

Listen to the full interview: