As we say goodbye to 2019 and welcome in 2020, it's a good time to catch up on the very best of the Herald columnists we enjoyed reading over the last 12 months. From politics to sport, from business to entertainment and lifestyle, these are the voices and views our audience loved the most. Today it's the top five from sports writer Liam Napier.
Brutal reality awaits rejected All Blacks
In April, the first peek behind the All Blacks' World Cup selection curtain didn't reveal any major surprises. However, according the Napier, it did confirm the depth of talent at Steve Hansen's disposal. Some were bound to be devastated, but the All Blacks couldn't take 41 players to the World Cup.
The five ABs cracks exposed by the Boks
While the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup campaign started on a bright note, Napier wrote that the team would be well aware improvement was needed to fulfil their quest for three straight Webb Ellis Cups in Japan. He looked at five key areas they would need to improve in.