League: Kiwis top highlights of 2010

Nathan Fien's late try gave the Kiwis just their second victory over Australia in 14 tests. Photo / Getty Images

1. The Nathan Fien try

New Zealand won the Four Nations final for just their second victory in 14 tests against Australia - but the wins were enormous, the World Cup being the other. Captain Benji Marshall produced a sensational final display with a guiding hand in each of the Kiwis' tries. The highlight came in the 79th minute with a raid on the Kangaroos line from 65m out. Marshall collected a, let us say 'longitudinally-generous' pass from Jason Nightingale, before shovelling it over his head for Fien to pick up and do the honours between the posts.

2. Storm damage

In a year with relatively few ripples on the water in terms of scandal, this was a tsunami. Melbourne's 'win at all costs' strategy, blatantly breaching the salary cap through creative accounting, meant the club's juggernaut shuddered to a halt. The Storm were stripped of two premierships, barred from earning points this season and lost valuable sponsors and players. The NRL is still to finalise its report on the investigation but no further action is pending. The downside for the Warriors was that they had to play away in Melbourne straight afterwards and got thrashed 40-6.

3. Kiwis coach Kearney

A win in the Four Nations and the World Cup means Stephen Kearney has strengthened his hold on the Kiwis indefinitely. There is more confidence in the consistent performances of the Kiwis than at any point in the last generation. Three and a half years ago, they went down 58-0 to Australia in one of the team's lowest ebbs. That could not be contemplated now. Kearney has also enhanced his coaching future, moving from assistant with the beleaguered Storm to head coach of the Eels.

4. Boorish Eden Park

The Four Nations double-header at the revamped Eden Park was an embarrassment, marred by drunken fans, thrown bottles, the booing of the Australian national anthem and six arrests for disorderly behaviour. It was a poor Rugby World Cup test event and worried a number of league people, too, with the Warriors playing their opening match there next season.

In hindsight, asking fans to observe social etiquette during back-to-back tests was a tough ask when a number had had a skinful from mid-afternoon - comparisons with one-day cricket anyone? However, it didn't stop the formation of a mayoral task force to reveal these facts and recommend stronger liquor bans, more security staff and greater police visibility. Some were quick to point out the tendency of league fans to be louts - but try telling that to the Warriors faithful who attend the family-friendly atmosphere at Mt Smart. There's barely a hint of trouble.

5. The rise of the Junior Warriors

The 42-28 Toyota Cup win over South Sydney was the first time in the club's 15-year history they have won a grand final.

It also meant the Warriors were NRL club of the year based on combined first grade and under-20 results.

The juniors moulded superbly under former Warriors assistant coach John Ackland. Fortunately the franchise has locked in fullback Glen Fisiiahi, wing-centre Ivan Penehe, halfback Shaun Johnson, hooker Elijah Taylor and second-rower Matt Robinson on first grade contracts. Some were lost, however: player of the year Nafe Seluini (off to the Panthers), prop Mark Ioane (Raiders), centre Siuatonga Likiliki (Knights) and winger Elijah Niko (Storm).

6. The Joey Johns-Timana Tahu show

Johns let himself down again with another post-playing career gaffe. Once it was the shock of his ecstasy habit, this time it was racism revelations during a Blues State of Origin training. The team went on to surrender a fifth consecutive series to the Maroons.

Johns hit the headlines after referring to Greg Inglis as a "black c***" during a video session. His slur incensed former Knights team-mate Tahu, who has an Aboriginal mother and Maori father.

He stormed out of camp, sacrificing his jersey. Tahu says he took a hardline stance to set a standard for his three children. Johns quit his job as assistant coach in disgrace but was retained by the Channel Nine broadcasting team.

Inglis has called for the NRL to bar him from any further involvement in the code at a senior level.

7. Warriors feel-good stories

They had a woeful run of injuries but the Warriors also had plenty of inspiration to draw on. Aaron Heremaia was one of just two players (with Ben Matulino) to turn out every game. His consistency at hooker saw him awarded a test cap in May against the Kangaroos.

Heremaia's prodigious teenage talent went begging but, after stints travelling overseas and working as a chef, the 28-year-old finally came full circle back into the Warriors' ranks. James Maloney was a tremendous buy whose confidence grew over the season, even if he did lead the NRL's penalty count with 28. Brett Seymour continued his redemption story, proving he has a footballing brain of rare quality. Lewis Brown also made an impact as a valued team man who stepped up his status, appearing 23 times with an uncanny nose for the tryline - he bagged seven to be third-equal on the list, behind Manu Vatuvei (20) and Maloney (10).

8.The mongrel and the pooch

Last year, 'Defecate Nate' Myles was the NRL's most ashamed player after soiling the corridor of a luxury resort hotel while drunk.

This year, Joel 'Mongrel' Monaghan takes the prize after a photo emerged of him in a compromising position with a dog at the Raiders' Mad Monday celebrations. The 28-year-old centre-wing is a special breed, indeed.

Alcohol was responsible but not offered as an excuse for his obscene behaviour. Monaghan quit the club but it'd help if Santa popped a flak jacket under his tree in preparation for his latest mission at Warrington next year.

9. Simon Mannering's leadership

The decision to look ahead and appoint Simon Mannering as Warriors captain this season proved a winner.

He mightn't be Winston Churchill in terms of oratory but his unassuming nature did not detract from an unrelenting desire for the club to succeed.

A finals spot that was ended prematurely by the Gold Coast Titans showed he's likely to be doing the job for a while yet, despite the furore surrounding the replacement of Steve Price.

As it happened, Price never actually took the field as a mentor for Mannering this season and retired prematurely. When he took charge aged 23, Mannering was the youngest skipper in the club's history - but he has the respect of his men and is a tireless worker, particularly on defence, where he ranks second only to Micheal Luck on average tackles, with 28.7 per game.

10. The salary cap

The salary cap is doing its job. Of the eight, non-Melbourne tainted premierships that can still be taken in account over the past decade, eight different teams won. Then there was a grand final this year which featured the consistent St George-Illawarra Dragons under Wayne Bennett versus the revitalised Brian Smith-coached Sydney Roosters, who took the wooden spoon last year.