Halbergs: Kiwi athletes set for celebration

The All Blacks won team of the year last year but were not nominated for the 2015 awards. Photo / Greg Bowker

New Zealand's top sporting stars will tonight be pitted against one another at the 52nd annual Halberg Awards.

The awards, to be held this evening at Vector Arena in Auckland, will celebrate the sporting success from Kiwi athletes in 2014.

From the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, to another impressive season for the All Blacks, to record-setting in numerous other disciplines, the year provided plenty of highlights.

As such, there are intriguing battles in every category. Sportswoman of the year will see Valerie Adams and Lydia Ko reprise their rivalry from last year; the sportsman prize features the captains of both the All Blacks (Richie McCaw) and the Black Caps (Brendon McCullum); while team of the year features a few world champions.

The awards begin at 8.30pm and the winners will be published on nzherald.co.nz later in the evening.

Sportswoman of the year:
Valerie Adams (athletics), Lisa Carrington (canoeing), Lydia Ko (golf), Emma Twigg (rowing).

Sportsman of the year:
Finalists: Steven Adams (basketball), Richie McCaw (rugby), Brendon McCullum (cricket), Brodie Retallick (rugby), Sam Webster (cycling).

Disabled sportsperson of the year:
Emma Foy and Laura Fairweather - pilot (para-cycling), Mary Fisher (para-swimming), Sophie Pascoe (para-swimming), Corey Peters (para-skiing).

Team of the year:
Auckland City FC (football), Kiwis (rugby league), Men's 49er Class- Peter Burling, Blair Tuke (yachting), Men's Pair - Hamish Bond, Eric Murray (rowing), Men's Team Sprint - Ethan Mitchell, Eddie Dawkins and Sam Webster (cycling).

Emerging talent:
Regan Gough (cycling), Sam Gaze (mountain biking), Zoe McBride (rowing), Eliza McCartney (athletics).

Coach of the year:
Stephen Kearney (rugby league), Steve Hansen (rugby), Gary Hay (rowing), Anthony Peden (cycling), Gordon Walker (canoeing).

New Zealand's favourite sporting moment:
All Blacks (rugby), Auckland City FC (football), Brendon McCullum (cricket), Anton Cooper and Sam Gaze (mountain biking), Kiwis (rugby league), Lydia Ko (golf), Scott McLaughlin (motorsport), Men's Team Sprint (cycling), Richie Patterson (weightlifting), David Nyika (boxing).