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Richie McCaw holds the Rugby World Cup. - Source: Photosport
Controversy is getting ready for its favourite night out, the Halberg Awards.
But surely, with the All Blacks winning the World Cup and finally ending a 24-year drought it will be a predictable affair this time around. A clean sweep. Right?
Not if you look at the All Blacks' past record with the Halberg judges and their emphasis on "global sport".
Despite three Grand Slams since 2005, the All Blacks have been New Zealand's team of the year only once. Compare that to four rowing crews within the same timeframe.
Fallout from the All Blacks' most recent defeat raged for days and even prompted the resignation of Dick Tayler from the judging panel.
Despite losing only once in 2010, the All Blacks were beaten by the All Whites last year who went through the 2010 World Cup unbeaten, but without a win.
It's inconceivable the All Blacks won't walk away with team of the year honours this time, even against rowing's traditional fancy with the judges and double scullers Hamish Bond and Eric Murray notching their third straight world title.
To the same end, Graham Henry has the inside running for coach of the year over rowing's Dick Tonks, having steered an injury-ravaged squad to glory.
Another easy pick is Valerie Adams for sportswoman of the year. She claimed another world shot put gold, with a championship record and personal best to boot.
But for every award after that, very strong arguments, and counter arguments, can be made.
Richie McCaw leaps off the page for sportsman of the year, the courageous captain battling severe injury to drag the All Blacks to the World Cup.
But how would that sit when the NZRU saw fellow Halberg finalist Jerome Kaino more fitting for its player of the year award?
Weighing individual honours against those achieved in a team then enters the equation. Cue Mahe Drysdale.
Regaining an individual world title after that gut-wrenching Olympic bronze in Beijing, coupled with rowing's aforementioned place in the judges' hearts, and Drysdale could be in the running.
Moment of the year has been tipped to find its way to Mount Smart Stadium in recognition of the tense way the Warriors reached the NRL grand final - as opposed to the over-riding sense of relief which came from the expectancy placed on the All Blacks.
That leaves the supreme honour, which, some might say, is the most blatant of all. The All Blacks, right?
You can hear the reasoning of the rugby fraternity already: "They won the World Cup, after 24 years, against France, with a decimated squad, and an injured captain, and no Dan Carter."
