1. All Whites - Undefeated at the FIFA World Cup
The All Whites story of sporting success will be one of the highlights of not just this year, but of the decade. As much as the naysayers try to discount the value of their achievements due to their failure to win a match in South Africa, when you consider the quality of their opponents (three top 30 sides including defending champs), pre-tournament expectations and the world stage on which they were competing the All Whites deserve all the plaudits for their against all odds performances which well and truly captured a nation.
2. Silver Ferns - Gold Medal at Commonwealth Games
The much maligned Delhi Commonwealth Games saved its best until last and the netball final on the last night of competition was a match that will go down in history as one of the best netball Tests of all time. The Silver Ferns double extra-time win over old rivals Australia was a classic nail-biter and young shooter Maria Tutaia kept her cool under immense pressure to bring it home in a standout performance. The only thing better than watching the Ferns collect their gold medal, was seeing the looks on the faces of Sharelle McMahon and the Australians as they received their silvers.
3. Kiwis - Four Nations champions
The New Zealand rugby league team seems to have started a particularly pleasing habit of knocking the Kangaroos over in matches that matter. This year's Four Nations win was the Kiwis' third win in the last four finals they've contested against the league powerhouse. After going down heavily a week before the Kiwis rallied together and produced one of the best come from behind wins you'll see. They were led bravely by captain and magician Benji Marshall, who even managed to make a 10 metre forward pass look legitmate to set up the last minute winner.
4. All Blacks - Tri Nations clean sweep
After a disappointing campaign in 2009 going down 3-0 to the Boks it was crucial for All Blacks to assert some dominance a year out from the World Cup. They did so in emphatic style with comprehensive wins in their first four matches before coming from behind to beat South Africa on the Highveld and Australia in Sydney. The image of shattered centurion John Smit left crying into Ma'a Nonu's boot after being brushed off by the powerful midfielder is one that will be remembered fondly by many New Zealand sport fans. However the achievement of the first Tri Nations clean sweep since its inception may be forgotten quickly if they can't back it up with an unbeaten performance in a different tournament next year&
5. Junior Warriors - Toyota Cup winners
It may have taken fifteen years but the Warriors have finally won their first premiership crown. Unfortunately it wasn't from the NRL side, but it's hard not to admire the way their under-20 counterparts stormed to the title. The Warriors 42-28 demolition of minor premier Rabbitohs at Homebush in the final showed their dominance and offers some promising signs for the future. The win combined with the first grade side's fifth place finish in the regular season also saw them take out the club championship for the first time.
6. Black Ferns - World cup winners
This one certainly doesn't collect any awards for upset of the year but it would be hard to find another team anywhere in the world that have a comparable win record to the New Zealand women's rugby team. The Black Ferns swept all before them in a fashion which will be envied by their male counterparts. The performance of fist five-eighth Anna Richards, who at 45 is women's rugby's answer to the NFL's Brett Favre, is remarkable as she took home her fourth world cup.
7. Sevens - Gold medal at Commonwealth Games
Another team with a remarkable winning record went to the Delhi Games with a team stacked with 15-a-side stars. After trailing Australia by 10 in the final, master coach Gordon Tietjens brought some of his most experienced Sevens players into the game to seal the deal. Second half tries to Sherwin Stowers, DJ Forbes and Kurt Baker secured the game and showed why Tietjens has been able to keep his position as coach for a whopping 16 years. New Zealand have won the Commonwealth Games Sevens gold everytime it's featured, going back to 1998.
8. Brendon McCullum - 116* v Australia , second T20 at Christchurch
2010 will not be a year looked back on fondly by New Zealand cricket fans, who have now seen their national ODI team slump to 11 straight losses. However, it's important to remember there were some good times and McCullum's swashbuckling century to guide the Black Caps to a T20 win over Australia was certainly one of those. His unbeaten 116 took just 56 balls and included shots never seen before as he repeatedly put his body on the line to scoop speedster Shaun Tait to the boundary. McCullum also proved himself in Test cricket this year when, in his second Test as an opening batsman, he scored his first double century to save the match.
9. Wellington Phoenix - A-League preliminary finalists
After the All Whites heroics in South Africa, some people may have forgotten there was a second New Zealand based football team that did quite well in 2010. The Phoenix became the first football team to reach the play-offs in an Australian football league. The Phoenix qualified fourth for the play-offs giving them two home matches played in front of record crowds. After beating the Perth Glory in a dramatic penalty shootout, they followed it up with an extra time win over Newcastle before going down to eventual winners Sydney. The season marked their coming of age and moves them past their predecessors as a team that can hold geniune title hopes.
10. Nikki Hamblin - Double silver medallist at Commonwealth Games
Hamblin was somewhat of a surprise package at the Delhi Games; we knew a bit about her but no one really knew how she would go. Since the games she has emerged as a genuine medal hope for London 2012. The 22 year old used her tactical nous to time her run superbly in the 1500m. Then in the 800m she came from second to last at the turn to fall short of the gold medal by the smallest of margins. We will be tracking her future progress with interest.
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