A sacrifice of time and energy lies ahead for the New Zealand men's rowing eight and quadruple sculls without knowing if they'll compete at the Tokyo Olympics.

Both crews must contest what's known as the sport's regatta of death at Lucerne from May 15 to 17 to earn the final Games qualifying spots.

Presuming the Olympics are still on at that point, they'll stay isolated from families and friends through until a fortnight after the Tokyo event.

Rowing New Zealand boss Simon Peterson joins Mike Hosking to talk about the difficult decision to make ahead of the Tokoyo Olympics.

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