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More than three reasons to smile: Nikki Hamblin, Benji Marshall and Ryan Nelsen - Source: Photosport -
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2010 gave New Zealand sports fans many reasons to smile - tvnz.co.nz counts down 10 of the very best
1. All Whites - Undefeated at the FIFA World Cup
The All Whites story of sporting success will be one of
the highlights of not just this year, but of the decade. As much as
the naysayers try to discount the value of their achievements due
to their failure to win a match in South Africa, when you consider
the quality of their opponents (three top 30 sides including
defending champs), pre-tournament expectations and the world stage
on which they were competing the All Whites deserve all the
plaudits for their against all odds performances which well and
truly captured a nation.
2. Silver Ferns - Gold Medal at Commonwealth Games
The much maligned Delhi Commonwealth Games saved its best
until last and the netball final on the last night of competition
was a match that will go down in history as one of the best netball
Tests of all time. The Silver Ferns double extra-time win over old
rivals Australia was a classic nail-biter and young shooter Maria
Tutaia kept her cool under immense pressure to bring it home in a
standout performance. The only thing better than watching the Ferns
collect their gold medal, was seeing the looks on the faces of
Sharelle McMahon and the Australians as they received their
silvers.
3. Kiwis - Four Nations champions
The New Zealand rugby league team seems to have started a
particularly pleasing habit of knocking the Kangaroos over in
matches that matter. This year's Four Nations win was the Kiwis'
third win in the last four finals they've contested against the
league powerhouse. After going down heavily a week before the Kiwis
rallied together and produced one of the best come from behind wins
you'll see. They were led bravely by captain and magician Benji
Marshall, who even managed to make a 10 metre forward pass look
legitmate to set up the last minute winner.
4. All Blacks - Tri Nations clean sweep
After a disappointing campaign in 2009 going down 3-0 to
the Boks it was crucial for All Blacks to assert some dominance a
year out from the World Cup. They did so in emphatic style with
comprehensive wins in their first four matches before coming from
behind to beat South Africa on the Highveld and Australia in
Sydney. The image of shattered centurion John Smit left crying into
Ma'a Nonu's boot after being brushed off by the powerful midfielder
is one that will be remembered fondly by many New Zealand sport
fans. However the achievement of the first Tri Nations clean sweep
since its inception may be forgotten quickly if they can't back it
up with an unbeaten performance in a different tournament next
year&
5. Junior Warriors - Toyota Cup winners
It may have taken fifteen years but the Warriors have
finally won their first premiership crown. Unfortunately it wasn't
from the NRL side, but it's hard not to admire the way their
under-20 counterparts stormed to the title. The Warriors 42-28
demolition of minor premier Rabbitohs at Homebush in the final
showed their dominance and offers some promising signs for the
future. The win combined with the first grade side's fifth place
finish in the regular season also saw them take out the club
championship for the first time.
6. Black Ferns - World cup winners
This one certainly doesn't collect any awards for upset of
the year but it would be hard to find another team anywhere in the
world that have a comparable win record to the New Zealand women's
rugby team. The Black Ferns swept all before them in a fashion
which will be envied by their male counterparts. The performance of
fist five-eighth Anna Richards, who at 45 is women's rugby's answer
to the NFL's Brett Favre, is remarkable as she took home her fourth
world cup.
7. Sevens - Gold medal at Commonwealth Games
Another team with a remarkable winning record went to the
Delhi Games with a team stacked with 15-a-side stars. After
trailing Australia by 10 in the final, master coach Gordon
Tietjens brought some of his most experienced Sevens players into
the game to seal the deal. Second half tries to Sherwin Stowers, DJ
Forbes and Kurt Baker secured the game and showed why Tietjens has
been able to keep his position as coach for a whopping 16 years.
New Zealand have won the Commonwealth Games Sevens gold everytime
it's featured, going back to 1998.
8. Brendon McCullum - 116* v Australia , second T20 at
Christchurch
2010 will not be a year looked back on fondly by New
Zealand cricket fans, who have now seen their national ODI team
slump to 11 straight losses. However, it's important to remember
there were some good times and McCullum's swashbuckling century to
guide the Black Caps to a T20 win over Australia was certainly one
of those. His unbeaten 116 took just 56 balls and included shots
never seen before as he repeatedly put his body on the line to
scoop speedster Shaun Tait to the boundary. McCullum also proved
himself in Test cricket this year when, in his second Test as
an opening batsman, he scored his first double century to save the
match.
9. Wellington Phoenix - A-League preliminary
finalists
After the All Whites heroics in South Africa, some people
may have forgotten there was a second New Zealand based football
team that did quite well in 2010. The Phoenix became the first
football team to reach the play-offs in an Australian football
league. The Phoenix qualified fourth for the play-offs giving them
two home matches played in front of record crowds. After beating
the Perth Glory in a dramatic penalty shootout, they followed it up
with an extra time win over Newcastle before going down to eventual
winners Sydney. The season marked their coming of age and moves
them past their predecessors as a team that can hold geniune title
hopes.
10. Nikki Hamblin - Double silver medallist at
Commonwealth Games
Hamblin was somewhat of a surprise package at the Delhi
Games; we knew a bit about her but no one really knew how she would
go. Since the games she has emerged as a genuine medal hope for
London 2012. The 22 year old used her tactical nous to time her run
superbly in the 1500m. Then in the 800m she came from second to
last at the turn to fall short of the gold medal by the smallest of
margins. We will be tracking her future progress with
interest.
