Andrew Mulligan: Vexed questions for 2016 - Sporting puzzles demand proper answers

Lydia Ko won her first major in 2015 ... the, er, um ... something or other ... Photo / AP

Being the first day of 2016, it seems appropriate to ask questions of what the year holds for sports fans. I thought of "Ask S(i)ri Lanka" but that just seemed too long a bow to draw with a random Apple reference, but how about the "Last Word on the First Words of 2K16"?

Is Sri Lanka ever going to play anyone else apart from New Zealand?

No. They're here to stay. They are the Washington Generals to the Harlem Globetrotters the way their batting has gone of late (although yesterday was a notable exception) but that's what happens when a team loses guys such as Kumar Sangakkara.

Why do so many sportspeople receive New Years Honours?

Sport is important to this country but it is probably best to bestow a particular honour for sport in the list. Contributions to society, however, have just as meaningful an impact but go largely unrecognised compared with a high-profile member of a sports team.

Which major did Lydia Ko win?

Off the top of my head, I don't know and most people wouldn't be able to name it but would know she won her first in 2015. Every sports fan knows it was the US Open that Michael Campbell won and that Bob Charles won The Open "back in the day". Here's the point - she's all about the gold in Rio in August and we'd all remember that achievement more than the Evian Championship, which is the fifth major.

Should Steve Hansen be doing more to help the sevens team's quest for gold? Photo / Brett Phibbs

Where are all the All Blacks in the sevens squad?

Ask Steve Hansen. It feels like the word has come down from the All Blacks that to be one, you need to commit to it fully. Sonny Bill Williams obviously has a sevens clause in his contract and Liam Messam is nearing the end of his career, so wants to go out on a golden high. But attrition and the closing of the gap has left Gordon Tietjens reworking his plans again.

Where are the All Whites?

Much like "Where in the world is Carmen San Diego", the All Whites and New Zealand Football have been at the crossroads for more than five years. There seems an inability to secure meaningful matches for interested fans in the country and it is a situation that doesn't appear likely to be fixed in 2016. They're more likely to play Carmen City just outside San Diego in 2016. Also, imagine the scene in August at HQ when the Olympic football kicks off.

Why do Al Jazeera's allegations that famous US athletes might dope surprise?

It is always an interesting viewpoint from this part of the world when sporting heroes aren't squeaky clean the way our stars are but, frankly, when you can improve skin folds and explosiveness which could lead to multi-million dollar contracts or extensions, people will always explore shortcuts. I bet if New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul grew his fingers back after his fireworks accident, the NFL would defend that too.

Will Smith addresses the elephant in the room in his new movie Concussion. Photo / Supplied

Should every person involved in contact sport watch the latest Will Smith movie Concussion?

Yes, but only if you want to start to learn the real effects through a dramatised version of events that led to head trauma being the elephant in the room of US sports until recently.

Who will be higher in their overall standings come May? The Warriors, Blues, or Chelsea?

You're better off asking Siri that one.