Men’s eight rocked by illness ahead of rowing final

Australia’s men’s eight crew has lost veteran Josh Hicks to a stomach bug, forcing a late change ahead of their Olympic rowing final.

Hicks, 33, was withdrawn from the boat on the morning of Saturday’s medal race with Tim Masters, who rowed in the men’s four in Paris, stepping in.

West Australian Hicks competed in Tokyo in the men’s pair.

Masters has plenty of experience in the eight, being part of the crew that won bronze at last year’s world championships.

A new combination, the men’s four made the Paris final but finished last.

Australia is chasing three medals on the last day of rowing Paris, with Tara Rigney in the single sculls as well as the women’s eight.