KEY POINTS:
1 No ifs or maybes, but plenty of butt
Zinedine Zidane provided the most startling conclusion to a soccer World Cup final when he was sent off for head-butting Italian Marco Materazzi, the referee acting on the advice of the fourth official.
Zidane chipped an extraordinary
penalty in the match at Berlin's Olympiastadion, but lost his poise when Materazzi chipped him with abuse pertaining to the Frenchman's mother and sister.
Zidane, who butted Materazzi in the chest, was still named player of the tournament even though the red card meant he missed the penalty shoot-out where Italy claimed sport's most famous prize.
2 Thriller in the mist
Well, it might have been a thriller, but who would know. Thick fog at Jade Stadium in Christchurch shrouded the Super 14 final, won by the Crusaders 19-12 over the Hurricanes.
Not since the famous waterlogged test at Eden Park three decades earlier has the weather dominated a match so much.
Even television technology failed to pierce the pea soup and the inaugural Super 14 final became the game that nobody saw.
The star of the no-show turned out to be television's sideline commentator Tony Johnson, who managed to piece together touches of order out of the chaos.
3 The stadium debate/debacle
As it stands, we still don't have any World Cup grandstands. At least no one could ever accuse Auckland of rushing important decisions. Unfortunately, no one could accuse Auckland of actually making important decisions at all.
About the only idea not explored in this historic search for a main 2011 Rugby World Cup venue was a floating barge at Muriwai. As we publish, Eden Park appears to be the last contender standing, or staggering.
4 League Loonies
The year began with the Warriors losing four points because of previous salary cap infringements, and ended with the Kiwis being stripped of a test victory over Great Britain for fielding ineligible Aussie Nathan Fien. And so (yawn) another league scandal was born.
The New Zealand Rugby League chairman Sel Bennett fell on his sword, but not before attempting to explain why there is no difference between a great-granny and a granny. In Fien's case a Kiwi granny would have been great, but a great-granny was not so great and led to grannygate. Herald prediction - there will be a league scandal in 2007.
5 Haka hooha
Commonwealth Games chief Dave Currie proved in Melbourne that you can roll out a haka anytime, anywhere. The All Blacks finally latched on, and belted one out in a Cardiff dunny. Stay tuned in 2007, as the haka sets about finding new territory to explore.
6 Ashes to ashes
England's glorious 2005 triumph turned to disaster at the hands of Australia, who were led by the brilliant Ricky Ponting.
The series included a thunderous Perth century by an out-of-form Adam Gilchrist, who reached three figures just one ball shy of Viv Richards' 56-ball test record. What the Black Caps would give for a struggler like that.
7 Retirements of all sorts
Tennis legend Andre Agassi enjoyed one of the greatest send-offs ever, a weepie worthy of a song by his ex Babs Streisand. Brisbane Broncos league hero Shane Webcke received a similar farewell.
Soccer superstar Zinedine Zidane scripted his own bizarre departure. Swim legend Ian Thorpe made a quick, dignified splash. Shane Warne received the accolades due after deciding the Ashes would be his final spin.
Tana Umaga confirmed his All Black withdrawal before making a major deposit of francs. World test recordholder Ruben Wiki, Stacey Jones and Nigel Vagana retired in a triple whammy for the Kiwis. Vilimaina Davu relinquished her Silver Fern bib in typically muted netball fashion ... ditto Belinda Colling and Anna Rowberry who (probably) quietly exited the family way.
Reviews were decidedly mixed for departing motor-racing ace Michael Schumacher: The man who dominated pole position polarised opinion because of his ruthless tactics.
8 Locky's year
The likeable Darren Lockyer led the Brisbane Broncos, Queensland and Australia to league titles, after emerging from a form slump. King of the rescue acts, he proved that class is permanent. Scored the extra-time winner against a battered Kiwi side in the Tri-Nations final.
9 Drugged peddlers
The most famous bike race in the world, the Tour de France, was a "pharma-cycle" nightmare.
A stack of riders, including favourites, were banned before the race.
Then the American winner, Floyd Landis, tested positive to being drug assisted.
Since the previous seven races had been won by drug-suspect Lance Armstrong, the famous race is struggling to get back in the credibility saddle.
10 Willie Mason
Australian league's walking, talking headline. Recipient of the unforgettable tackle-of-the-year, delivered by Kiwi David Kidwell. Mason pips cricket umpire Darrell Hair - of Pakistani ball-tampering infamy - as Maddest Aussie of the Year.
