Australia's rowers have won bronze in the glamour men's eight event but in a shock for the women's eight, one rower failed to complete the race.

Australian men's crew of Stefan Szczurowski, Stuart Reside, Stuart Welch, James Stewart, Geoff Stewart, Steve Stewart, Boden Hanson, Mike McKay and cox Michael Toon moved from fourth to second in the first half but failed to hold off a late push from the Netherlands and slipped into third.

Gold medallists, the United States, led for the whole race.

The Australian eight were hoping for a stronger result in only the second time they have raced internationally as a crew.

"We put our heart and soul into this season and it wasn't what we were after, but sometimes that's racing," said crew member Hanson.

"It was still a good ride but those guys (the United States) did something special today."

The women finished sixth and last in the final after one of the crew stopped rowing with about 650 metres to go and dropped her oar about 100 metres from the finish.

The crew were not available for comment but a team spokesman said the crew member who stopped told an official she had rowed herself out, she felt unwell and could not finish the race.

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