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The All Whites steal the show at the 58th Halberg Awards - Source: Photosport -
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They stole the hearts of the New Zealand public last year by going through the Football World Cup unbeaten and tonight the All Whites stole the show at the 58th Halberg Awards, scoring a hat-trick of prizes.
The All Whites won 2010 Team of the Year, Coach of the Year and the overall Halberg award.
New Zealand's most sought after sporting honour hadn't ever been awarded to the code of football, since its inception in 1949.
And the night was notable for another reason - it is the first time since 2003 that the big award hasn't been given to an individual athlete.
The All Whites headed off team finalists - the All Blacks, the Kiwi league team, rowing pair Eric Murray and Hamish Bond, and the Silver Ferns to win the Sports Team category.
Then, up against Sportsman of the year Richie McCaw, and sportswoman of the year Valerie Adams, the men in white took away the big one.
The prize acknowledges just how the much the country, along with the 28 sporting judges, enjoyed the team's success over the past 12 months.
The award was presented to the side by former All Whites player/coach combination John Adshead and Steve Sumner, whose team reached the World Cup finals in Spain in 1982.
The All Whites joined the 31 other nations at the 2010 World Cup after their upset 1-0 victory over Bahrain to qualify.
They then defied all predictions and made a mockery of their FIFA World ranking (74) in South Africa by drawing all three of their pool matches against Slovakia, a 4th ranked Italy and Uruguay.
The Ricki Herbert-coached side ended the tournament as the only unbeaten team - although also without a win - and ranked ahead of four-time World Cup winners Italy and 1998 champions France.
Individual awards
Herbert, who also steered Phoenix to the A League finals last year, pipped All Blacks coach Graham Henry, Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney and NZ Sevens coaching guru Gordon Tietjens to win the SPARC Coach of the Year category.
For All Black captain McCaw, twice a previous finalist, it was third time lucky as he won Sportsman of the Year ahead of All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen, Kiwis captain Benji Marshall and X Games world champ, Jossi Wells.
McCaw is only the third rugby player in the last 20 years, and the first since Jeff Wilson back in 1997 to win Sportsman of the Year.
Valerie Adams won Sportswoman of the Year for a 5th time from fellow Commonwealth Games competitors Nikki Hamblin (athletics), Alison Shanks (cycling), Joelle King (squash) and Casey Williams (netball). Between them the women had won seven medals at the games - 3 gold, 3 silver and a bronze.
Commonwealth Games swimming silver medallist Gareth Kean edged out world under-20 shot put champion Jacko Gill to grab the Emerging Talent award along with the $15,000 Westpac scholarship. The other finalists were Julia Edward (rowing) and Tyler Bleyendaal (rugby).
Hall of Fame
The ceremony tonight, held in Auckland, also saw two former New Zealand sporting identities inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.
All Black Michael Jones, a part of the 1987 World Cup winning team, and Bill Baillie, among the country's most versatile athletes across three decades, were presented with their awards by Sir Murray Halberg himself and Sir Brian Lochore.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Auckland's Eric Kolhase, a hugely popular rugby and softball player and coach for more than 50 years. Former All Black flanker and captain and long serving NZRU chairman Jock Hobbs was awarded the Leadership Award.
What do you think about the awards? Did the All Whites deserve to win? Have your say on the messageboard below.
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Post new commentptt3775 said on 2011-02-15 @ 15:44 NZDT: Report abusive post
Now Mr Devlin - I noticed with each of the examples that you gave - Lewis in 1982, Coberger in 1992 and the Tall Blacks in 2002 - each of them actually defeated others within their respective sports at the highest level within their sports. Compare that with the All Whites who did not actually win a game at the world cup. Maybe they should have had penalty shoot-outs in the pool play? Still proud of what they achieved but don't believe that it warranted them receiving the supreme Halberg Award
shandoa said on 2011-02-15 @ 15:14 NZDT: Report abusive post
What is the fuss about? A one race wonder who could not accept a consensus decision? Of course he should resign. Can Richie McCaw lace Ryan Nelson's boots...never in a million years but rugby has to be there somewhere for the NZ psyche. This has shown up a few damaged egos. Tough!!
rocky4nz said on 2011-02-15 @ 14:07 NZDT: Report abusive post
Excellence by Definition: The quality of being excellent; state of possessing good qualities in an eminent degree; exalted merit; superiority in virtue. Doesn't say anything about winning! End of argument
valedise said on 2011-02-15 @ 13:13 NZDT: Report abusive post
Check your number mate. More people play soccer in New Zealand than rugby.
komodonz said on 2011-02-15 @ 09:03 NZDT: Report abusive post
How about we ask Italy, Slovenia and Paraguay if they think the All Whites were mediocre and "just taking part"?