Bertrand makes national rowing team

The 23-year-old missed out on the squad after the first round of selection trials in April and subsequently missed out on Australia's campaign at the world cup in Europe.

Instead of shelving his oar and heading for dry land, Bertrand courageously battled on in Melbourne alone.

The Victorian Institute of Sport talent pounced at his final opportunity for national qualification last week in Sydney.

He impressed selectors and secured a seat in the men's lightweight eight for the World Rowing Championships in New Zealand next month.

Warrnambool's Kathryn Ross and partner Grant Bailey will also represent the nation in the trunk and arms double scull after stellar performances in trials and at the world cup in Slovenia.

Bertrand said his selection was a fitting reward for his persistence.

"It was a pretty rough winter," he said.

"I felt pretty dejected after the first round.

"Everyone I usually trained with was in Europe."

With a ticket to the championships becoming more unlikely, Bertrand was faced with two choices: give up or train harder.

However, he admitted the former was never really an option.

The Deakin University student committed to an exhausting training program, including work on the Yarra, in the gym and on the pavement. "It was an all-or-nothing attitude," he said.

"I did on-water stuff four or five times a week, weight programs three times a week and cross training as well.

"I knew (the intensive program) was either going to break me or make me stronger."

Despite having his eye on the men's four, Bertrand said he was more than happy to settle into the lightweight eight at the cost of another hopeful.

"Ideally I would have liked to make the four but they didn't open it up for selection," he said.

"I had to kick someone out of the team.

"It's hard to swap a person to another boat, things can go either way.

"It's a real cut-throat process but that's how it has to be."

The approaching competition will mark Bertrand's fifth appearance at world championship level and second in the senior field.

He said he sat at the experienced end of the boat with two-time Olympian Ben Cureton.

"We've got a good mix of youth and experience," he said.

"We're a really enthusiastic team and we're all very excited."

Italy, Denmark and Germany are set to pose the biggest threat to the Australian crew.

But the former Brauer College pupil admitted the green and gold will have a major advantage when they cross the Tasman.

"It's the first time in 20 years a world championship has been held in the southern hemisphere," Bertrand said.

"It is an advantage because we don't have to travel too far and we won't have to deal with jet lag."

The group will meet in Sydney this weekend before training individually for a month.

Bertrand and his teammates will return to Penrith for a three-week program before the titles which start on Saturday, October 30.