Bertrand earned a place in the Australian under 23 team for the third year in succession after a gruelling selection process which finished last week in Sydney.

The 21-year-old Melbourne-based rower wants to make his last year at under 23 level an unforgettable one by finishing top three in the Czech Republic and believes he has the crewmates to succeed.

"I've been to the last two and I don't think I've fulfilled my potential yet," Bertrand said yesterday.

"I think we can medal this year . . . I definitely want to be on the podium."

Bertrand was selected alongside Terry Ward, of Western Australia, and Ed White and Charlie Budd, of Sydney, in the lightweight fours.

After a week off, they will begin training for the world titles, which begin on July 19 in Racice, near Prague.

Rowing officials chose Melbourne as the training base, which will help Bertrand minimise disruption to his university studies in public health at Deakin University's Burwood campus.

He had mixed feelings yesterday after the nine-day national selection trials, which he started in contention for a place on the open team.

"I was pretty excited about that because I was hopeful I would make it," Bertrand said.

"It's bitter-sweet for me because I was aiming a bit higher.

"But to be told you're going away (to world titles) it's a pretty special feeling."

Bertrand, who faced additional physical activity each morning to keep his weight down to 70kg, said the selection trials at the Sydney International Regatta Centre were rowing's equivalent to the television series Survivor without an immunity idol.

"They make sure they thoroughly test you," he said.

"There were three races each day, with an hour's break, in different combinations.

"Throughout the week as well they make cuts so people go home early. So if you survive the week you're in the team.

"At the time it's pretty tough but I think it's the right way to do it."

Bertrand represented Australia at the 2007 world under 23 titles in Scotland and 2008 titles in Germany in lightweight fours and lightweight quads respectively.

His crew finished eighth last year.