Qualification for the Commmonwealth Games will be the top priority for the New Zealand triathletes competing in the opening round of the ITU series in Auckland this weekend.
Andrea Hewitt is the only New Zealander to have met the criteria for nomination for Glasgow and Triathlon New Zealand has set a benchmark of a top eight finish in Auckland for athletes competing in Auckland on Sunday.
The national coach Greg Fraine says athletes such as Nicky Samuels and Ryan Sissons are capable of hitting that mark, but concedes it won't be easy.
Fraine says the selectors can use their discretion to pick athletes who do not finish in the top eight on a case by case basis.
