NZ sportspeople of the decade

Richie McCaw. Photo / Kenny Rodger

1. Richie McCaw

Since making his debut for the All Blacks with a man-of-the-match performance against Ireland in 2001, Richie McCaw has set the benchmark for loose forward play around the world.

McCaw has twice been named New Zealand player of the year in 2003 and 2006. In 2006 he was also recognised by the International Rugby Board as the world's best player.

After the 2007 World Cup disaster in France, McCaw was heavily criticised and his leadership abilities questioned.

The following year however, the Otago-born openside proved his immense capability as the All Blacks won the Bledisloe Cup, Tri-Nations and the Grand Slam.

2. Valerie Vili

As the reigning Olympic, World and Commonwealth champion, 23 year-old Vili has already won all there is in shotput.

The Rotorua-born Aucklander went to Beijing as New Zealand's greatest medal prospect and she didn't disappoint. Throwing a personal best of 20.56m on her way to gold, only one other competitor passed the 20m mark.

Along with a host of world junior titles, Vili also won silver at the 2002 Commonwealth Games and bronze at the 2005 World Championships.

3. The Evers-Swindell twins

The golden-girls of rowing, Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell are arguably the world's best double skulls duo.

Having won world titles in 2002, 2003 and 2005, the twins went on to make New Zealand history, with their gold medal win at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and again at Beijing in 2008.

Caroline and Georgina, who have since retired, were warm favourites in Athens in 2004, winning comfortably.

In Beijing, the final was a scrap right down the line, the twins edging out the German and British crews in a photo finish by one one-hundredth of a second.

4. Rob Waddell

Waddell has forged stellar careers in both rowing and yachting, switching between Olympic and America's Cup campaigns since 1996.

Waddell's crowning glory is his Olympic single sculls gold medal in Sydney, 2000 but over the last 10 years his record reads as follows: two single sculls world championships, two America's Cup campaigns and two Olympics - all while dealing with a heart condition he kept secret until it surfaced during the deciding Olympic trial against Mahe Drysdale last year.

5. Scott Dixon

Scott Dixon put his name alongside New Zealand's motorsport greats by becoming the first Kiwi to win the prestigious Indy500 race last year.

Dixon went on to capture his second Indy Racing League title, the first coming in 2003 in his rookie season, equalling the record number of six victories along the way.

6. Sarah Ulmer

Ulmer fulfilled her immense potential at the Athens Olympics in 2004 when she became the first New Zealander to win a cycling gold medal, blitzing the field in the 3000m individual pursuit.

Ulmer, a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist, entered Athens as the reigning world champion and had no trouble living up to that billing, breaking the world record twice on her way to gold, including slashing two seconds off the time in the final.

7. Dan Carter

The All Blacks' biggest star, Carter has had a massive influence on the team since his debut in 2003.

Although he's had a relatively short rugby career so far, he's already established as one of the All Black greats.

It was the second test against the British and Irish Lions in 2005 that gained Carter significant international attention.

The test match was hailed as the most complete by a first five-eighths in rugby history as Carter scored two tries and kicked 23 points to help New Zealand claim the series with a 48-18 victory.

8. Daniel Vettori

As captain of the Black Caps, Vettori is one of the world's best left arm spin bowlers, and his skill on the green has led New Zealand to wins over the likes of England and the West Indies.

He's the eighth player in history to take over 300 test wickets and score over 3000 runs, with his 300th wicket in Sri Lanka this year.

9. Ryan Nelsen

Nelsen has forged a stellar career in the prestigious English Premier League with Blackburn Rovers. After making his name in the US with DC United, Nelsen signed with Blackburn in 2005 and has since racked up more than 160 appearances for the club.

He was made captain in the 2006-07 season and is believed to be one of New Zealand's top-paid sportsmen.

Under the captaincy of Nelsen, New Zealand's football team, the All Whites, could rewrite the history books.

The Christchurch-born skipper led the team to victory against Bahrain in November, sealing their place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

10. Irene van Dyk

It was New Zealand's lucky day when van Dyk joined the Silver Ferns in 2000. Now one of the team's most valuable and recognised players, Van Dyk rarely misses a goal.

The Waikato/BOP Magic shooter played an integral part in New Zealand's dominance over Australia between 2003-2006, during which time they won the World Championships.

In 2003 van Dyk received the Halberg award for New Zealand sportswoman of the year, while her 72 caps for South Africa and 85 for New Zealand have seen her become the most capped player of all time.