An ambitious move to stack Australia’s rowing men’s eight with three Olympic champions in the hope of finally securing an elusive gold medal in the blue riband event faces its judgment day on Saturday after the much-hyped team scraped through to the final.

The bold decision by rowing selectors earlier this year, opting to shift Tokyo gold medallists Spencer Turrin, Jack Hargreaves and Alex Purnell from the four to chase gold in the eights in Paris, has already come at a heavy price. Australia’s long-time success in the former ended after they missed a podium for the first time in 16 years on Thursday.

Starting with the “Oarsome Foursome” in Barcelona in 1992, Australia had only missed medals once. In the event, the crew finished dead last in the final at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium course on Thursday.

Alex Hill, the only remaining member of the Tokyo team who was also part of the silver medal-winning crew in Rio, played down any suggestions the selection had backfired after his own disappointing finish. Read Rob Harris’ full story here.