Will Lydia Ko be able to defend her Sports Women of the year award she won last year, or will a surprise package win one of New Zealand sports high award?
On Wednesday the 11th of February, the Halberg awards will be honoring New Zealand’s top sporting stars and their achievements over the last twelve months. This year, the event will be one of the most hotly contested awards shows in history as all the finalists have a good chance of winning in their fields.
Coverage brings on Sky Sport at 8pm with delayed coverage on Prime starting at 11om
Here are our thoughts on who will win:
High Performance Sport New Zealand Sportswoman of the Year
Emma Twigg (Rowing), Lisa Carrington (Canoeing), Lydia Ko (Golf), Valerie Adams (Athletics)
Our Pick: Lydia Ko. We felt this was clear cut as Lydia was won 3 major tournaments on the Women’s tour last year (Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic, LPGA Marathon Classic) and she also won the inaugural “Race to CME Globe” She deserves to win the award over Valerie Adams because has competed and beaten some of the world’s best golfers, whereas Valerie hasn’t any serious opposition.
There pick: Valerie Adams
High Performance Sport New Zealand Sportsman of the Year
Brendon McCullum (Cricket), Brodie Retallick (Rugby), Richie McCaw (Rugby), Sam Webster (Cycling), Steven Adams (Basketball)
Our pick: The man mountain himself Brodie Retallick. This is a hard one because he had a standout year with Brendon McCullum. Brodie cleaned out all the prize awards he went to including IRB player of the year and he would have been the All Blacks best player throughout their 15 tests in the year. On the other hand Brendon has broken many records in 2014 including being the first New Zealand batsmen to score 300 in a test match against India and batting with BJ Watling, creating the highest partnership for the 6th wicket of 352. But Brodie has more of the inside running as he was the best player the All Blacks had, and had a fantastic year for the Chiefs.
There pick: Brendon McCullum
Halberg Disability Sport Foundation Team of The Year Finalists
Auckland City FC (Football), Kiwis (Rugby League), Men’s Pair – Hamish Bond and Eric Murray (Rowing), Men’s Team Sprint – Eddie Dawkins, Ethan Mitchell and Sam Webster (Cycling), NZ Men’s 49er Class Team – Peter Burling Blair Tuke (Yachting)
Our pick: Eric Murray and Hamish Bond. This is an easy decision because every time these guys head on to the water they smash records, either set by them or others. They will go down in the record books as one of the best rowing crews of all time.
There pick: Eric Murray and Hamish Bond
Halberg Disability Sport Foundation Disabled Sportsperson of the Year Finalists
Corey Peters (Para-Skiing), Emma Foy and Laura Fairweather – pilot (Para-Cycling), Mary Fisher (Para-Swimming), Sophie Pascoe (Para-Swimming),
Our Pick: Sophie Pascoe. In this category, anyone is a deserving winner because of the fact that they are compete in a sport that they enjoy and love and battle physical disability to do that.
There Pick: Sophie Pascoe
Emerging Talent Award Finalists
Eliza McCartney (Athletics), Regan Gough (Cycling), Sam Gaze (Mountain Biking), Zoe McBride (Rowing)
Our pick: Sam Gaze. This is a toss of the coin as all the talent mentioned above have smashed and created records in their own fields. However, I feel that Sam Gaze will win because he has the potential to set new world records in Mountain Biking.
There pick: Zoe McBride
SKY SPORT Coach of the Year Finalists
Anthony Peden (Cycling), Gary Hay (Rowing), Gordon Walker (Canoeing), Stephen Kearney (Rugby League), Steve Hansen (Rugby)
Our pick: Anthony Peden. This was a tough one to pick but when you look at what Anthony has done last year it is amazing. He helped cyclists including Sam Webster, Eddie Dawkings and Simon van Velthooven win one gold, three bronze, two silver at the Commonwealth Games and 1 UCI Track World Cup title and a bronze medal. He has helped improve the cycle team from guys that could maybe get into the top half of the field to being general threats on the track.
There pick: Steve Hansen
New Zealand’s Favourite Sporting Moment Finalists
Brendon McCullum (Cricket), Men’s Team Sprint (Cycling), Scott McLaughlin (Motorsport),Richie Patterson (Weightlifting), Anton Cooper and Sam Gaze (Mountain Biking), David Nyika (Boxing), All Blacks (Rugby), Lydia Ko (Golf), Auckland City FC (Football)
Our pick: Scott McLaughlin
The viewers: Auckland FC
Overall winner:
Overall winner for us: Lydia Ko
Overall winner for them: Valerie Adams
