Eric Murray and Hamish Bond react after winning the gold medal. Photo / Getty
Eric Murray and Hamish Bond react after winning the gold medal. Photo / Getty
The best New Zealand athletes are assessed by the Herald and Radio Sport teams as we sort out the Sports Performers of a stellar 2016.
10. Israel Dagg
Israel Dagg. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Matt Brown: It's been a phenomenal year for Steve Hansen's side especially considering the wealth of experience he lost after the World Cup.
There were genuine fears that 2016 would be a rebuilding year but in winning 13 out of 14 tests the All Blacks cemented theirstatus as the best team on the planet.
They dominated the Rugby Championship, becoming the first team to secure maximum points by winning all six fixtures with bonus points.
The All Blacks continue to be the benchmark and are in good shape for the British and Irish Lions series in June.
9. Brendon McCullum
Brendon McCullum. Photo / Greg Bowker
Dylan Cleaver: McCullum's career was in danger of petering out to an unsatisfactory conclusion after twin failures in his 100th consecutive test at the Basin Reserve.
He made amends with a 54-ball century a week later at Hagley Oval. Yes, there were some ugly swipes, the odd top-edged heave, and he was caught off a no-ball, but this was McCullum as we want to remember him: bristling with aggression and derring-do.
Even Sir Viv Richards said he couldn't think of a more appropriate cricketer to break his world record.
8. Steven Adams
Steven Adams. Photo / Getty
Kris Shannon: Adams was always going to make this year's list after his stellar season with the Thunder.
His new multi-million dollar contract further boosted his already soaring profile with Kiwis.
And in amongst it all, he has remained a grounded Kiwi. His has been one of the sports stories of the year.
7. Eliza McCartney
Eliza McCartney. Photo / AP
David Leggat: McCartney made my top 10 for two reasons: her achievement in the Rio Olympic pole vault in getting third, which was an outstanding result, but also the sheer delight she brought to her work.
She captured the imagination of the country, turned non-pole vault believers into fans, increased the demand for poles in sports and clubs and presented a fresh, youthful spirit about her.
Her reaction when she realised she had won the bronze was one of the best images of the Games.
6. Joseph Parker
Joseph Parker. Photo / Photosport
Trevor McKewen: Parker and Duco Events have their detractors and nobody would pretend to believe the Mangere-born fighter is truly the world champion heavyweight.
But winning one of four boxing 'alpha-belts' is not dissimilar to a Kiwi winning a golf or tennis major. And we would certainly be celebrating that.
Parker is one of the world's top five heavyweights and that is quite the achievement.
5. Lydia Ko
Lydia Ko. Photo / Getty
Cameron McMillan: Ko had nothing to show for 2016 after she didn't claim any end-of-season awards... except for a major title, three other tournament wins, an Olympic medal, three seconds, two thirds, 23 out of 23 cuts made and almost US$2.5 million in prize money.
She began the year with 10 top tens in 15 tournaments. She's held world No1 for the third longest streak of all time, she has 17 points of the 27 needed to qualify for the LPGA Hall of Fame and she is just 19.
Millions of women play golf. She is better than all of them.
4. Lisa Carrington
Lisa Carrington. Photo / Photosport
Brenton van Nisselroy: Lisa Carrington's performances in Rio have elevated her to an exclusive group in New Zealand Olympic history.
She's joined the likes of Kiwi greats Peter Snell, Ian Ferguson and Danyon Loader in winning more than one medal at a single Games.
Her golden effort in the K1 200 was commanding and her bronze medal paddle in the K1 500 was gritty. She's undoubtedly one of our top sports performers of the year.
3. Peter Burling and Blair Tuke
Peter Burling and Blair Tuke. Photo / Sailing Energy / World Sailing
Dana Johannsen: Their winning streak in yachting is unprecedented.
Given the variables they face, it is unheard of for a sailor to win every regatta they enter in a year, let alone every regatta in a four-year cycle.
Their 43-point win in Rio was the biggest winning margin in any class, and would be like winning a rowing race by 500m.
2. Mahe Drysdale
Mahe Drysdale. Photo / Getty
Chris Allen: He came in at No 2 on my top 10 and it was a close call not to have him at the top.
The legendary men's single sculler won his second Olympic gold medal in Rio, backing up from London in 2012 and his memorable bronze in Beijing.
Drysdale showed all the grit and determination that has characterised his impressive rowing career, making his podium place in Rio all the more special.
