- Tyson Fury is being investigated by police for his homophobic views. Everything that falls out of his mouth is barely tolerable and his defiance is click bait petrol. But the investigation by Greater Manchester Police into his comments before his win over WladimirKlitschko is great because it sets an example that hate crimes aren't just acts of violence. We can only wish that Klitschko unwraps his arms and beats him in the New Year.
- Issac Luke and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck are the second coming of Reuben Wiki and Steve Price. Paraded before New Zealand media and fans this week, the impact they have on the field will be obvious but also crucially they'll be the faces of the Warriors away from Mt Smart, which is just as important for the club. Two born-and-bred Kiwi stars returning from Premiership-winning teams who want to return home is a reason for fans to smile as they decide which of the 45 Warriors jerseys they want for Christmas.
- The midfield. Whether it's the Hurricanes or All Blacks, the midfield race is on. We saw in 1998 that the jump from Super Rugby to test level is quite large and nobody really made it with Walter Little still in the mix. It's a different story these days. Malakai Fekitoa, Ryan Crotty, Rene Ranger and even Ben Smith, who has played there recently, are right in the mix for next year.
- All Blacks Sevens Olympic gold. Glasgow last year and Dubai last weekend showed nothing can be taken for granted, and the attrition rate is also likely to be testing. But the one thing we don't seem to have is outright pace -- a sprinter, a gas man, anyone who can finish. Our experience, support lines and link play are our strengths but in sevens, pace, like size, is uncoachable. The women surely have it sewn up. Famous last words right there.
-The 'sticktoitiveness' of Jarryd Hayne is an example that should be included in school curriculums across New Zealand. He could have easily packed it all in at the 49ers after he re-signed to the practice squad and aimed to make the NRL Nines with the Eels or Roosters after a Christmas break. Instead, his dedication to learning his craft and working on his game is to be admired.
- Drugs in sport is bad. From cycling to mosquito bites all the way to Russia and back to Michigan in the US, performance enhancing drugs are the scourge of sport. But the University of Michigan's work on the effects of human growth hormone (HGH) on the recovery of ACL injuries in knees could start to change opinions. Understanding how HGH could quicken an injured athlete's recovery from surgery without making them stronger than before is being investigated with a special exemption from the US Government's Food and Drug Administration. This would be a gift for fans keen to see favourite athletes back quicker than before. This is a long way off -- it will be 2017 before the study's results are known - but is perhaps a step in the right direction.
