Up against reigning world and European champions Romania, last year’s world championship bronze medallists New Zealand and a hotly-fancied Great Britain crew, the Aussies made a huge statement in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, progressing directly to Sunday’s A-final. 

“I think they’d be very happy with that,” Tasmanian Institute of Sport rowing coach Brendan Long said.

“All the crews they beat were very strong and this puts them in an excellent position.

“From what I’ve heard, Ciona is going really well and is an integral member of that crew.”

Stroked by Emma Fessey (NSW) with Wilson, 26, in seat six, the crew overtook Romania to hit the front at the 500-metre mark.

They upped their rating to 38 in the closing stages to win in a time of six minutes two seconds from Great Britain and the Kiwis.

Tasmania’s other competitor in Plovdiv, Huon’s Sarah Hawe, 31, was in the women’s four crew that was due to take part in its semi-final on Thursday night (Tastime).