2015 has been a brilliant year of sport.
Three teams closest to my heart, the All Blacks, Highlanders and New England Patriots achieved their greatest dreams in 2015.
It could oh so nearly have been four had the Blackcaps beat Australia at the MCG in the Cricket World Cup Final in March. Alas, making the Final is still a highly incredible achievement along with an 8 week campaign that will long be remembered by New Zealand sports fans where at one stage, cricket topped the rugby in terms of favourite sport by Kiwis.
The way 2015 has culminated will probably never be repeated in the future - it could very well be surpassed but that is difficult.
So without further ado, here are my Top 10 Sporting Moments of 2015 -
1. All Blacks winning the Rugby World Cup for the first time on foreign soil.
2. Blackcaps beating South Africa in the Cricket World Cup semifinal at Eden Park.
3. Highlanders spoiling the Hurricanes Grand Final party for their first ever Super Rugby title.
4. Malcolm Butler's key intercept grab for the Patriots in the Super Bowl against the Seahawks.
5. Japan beating South Africa in the upset of upsets.
6. All Blacks exorcising 40 years worth of demons from defeats to Les Bleus in Cardiff.
7. Martin Guptill's double ton against the West Indies - the first ever for a Kiwi in one day cricket.
8. The Silver Ferns ending their long losing drought against Australia in the World Cup.
10. North Queensland Cowboys winning a thrilling NRL Grand Final over the Brisbane Broncos.
And for good measure, my other lists -
Top 3 Duds of 2015 (Where Did It All Go Wrong) -
1. England national teams (except football - for once) - World Cups and English teams don't mix
2. McLaren-Honda - all that money and manufacturer support and how many points did they get?
3. Liverpool - big disappointment after coming close to winning the title, now with new manager
Top 3 Surprises of 2015 (Wow) -
1. The Brave Blossoms - see point 5 of top 10 list
2. Day/night test cricket - it's definitely here to say and could solve those problems with crowds and pitches in India
3. Leicester City - 2015 has definitely been their year.
Person of 2015 - Dan Carter. A year before this year's World Cup, I tipped Beauden Barrett to be running the cutter at first five in England because of Dan's age, form and injury run. After an average Super Rugby and Aaron Cruden's season ending injury, that prediction seemed certain. But Dan the man turned it around just in time for the World Cup and the rest is history. Now he can enjoy the fine red wines and baguettes of Paris as a double Rugby World Cup winner and having played in one Final.
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