McCaw still top of the heap
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[1] Crusaders and All Blacks captain Richie McCaw. Photo by NZPA.
A year has passed since the unveiling of the inaugural Otago Daily Times power rankings of New Zealand athletes. Sports editor Hayden Meikle updates the list.
A quick reminder for those of you who missed our (well, my) first power rankings almost exactly a year ago.
The idea comes from the Americans, who always love a good list. It's about who is hot, right now.
Athletes only. No coaches, administrators or golf caddies.
My list is based on achievement, status, profile and good old-fashioned bias. Oh, and the need to include at least one winter sports star so the snow and ice people don't overload my email.
The figure in parentheses represents where the athlete appeared in last year's power rankings.
~ THE TOP 10 ~
1. Richie McCaw (1)Richard the Lionheart
Yes, his Crusaders just got beaten and he's been playing fairly poorly by his own exceptional standards. But you won't keep McCaw down for long. He's still our best rugby player and still our most important sportsman. And if he lifts that World Cup, he passes Colin Meads as our greatest All Black. Yes, he does.
2. Benji Marshall (9)
Super stand-off
Not everyone will be on board with listing the Whakatane Express this high, especially after his run-in with the law earlier this year. But isn't he close to being the best rugby league player in the world? He's an NRL rock star in Australia, the face of the game and the only New Zealand player everyone on the other side of the ditch could automatically recognise. Marshall has also inspired the Kiwis to multiple wins over the Kangaroos in crunch games.
3. Dan Carter (8)
The golden boy
The greatest All Black first five of all time? Or someone who peaked in 2005 and has never quite recaptured his genius? Most probably favour the first description. Carter has breathtaking class and composure, and has a remarkable mass appeal that has seen him gain millions of fans and the bucks to match. He was a non-event at the past two World Cups, so will have intense personal motivation to guide the All Blacks to victory on home soil this year.
4. Valerie Adams (3)
Queen V
Had a little bit of a disappointing year, often finishing second behind Belarussian rival Nadezhda Ostapchuk. But Vili is returning to her best form, is our best chance for gold at the London Olympics next year, and is still the biggest (literally and figuratively) global figure we've got in women's sport.
5. Sonny Bill Williams (new)
Excitement machine
Oh, how we scoffed. A disloyal, money-hungry wannabe boxer was never going to come back to New Zealand and fit into the All Blacks. How wrong we were. SBW is not only the most exciting thing we've seen on a rugby field in years; he is the star attraction of the sport, full stop. It might be fleeting - the lure of big bucks overseas may take him away again - but the SBW era has been great for rugby.
6. Ross Taylor (16)
The new boss
A big lift in ranking reflects Taylor's appointment as Black Caps captain. He is our best batsman, when he isn't responding to those little voices in his head telling him to swing wildly over cow corner. But he must now match talent with reliability and leadership, and he has big boots to fill.
7. Ryan Nelsen (4)
Ryan of Rovers
Slips a little because the All Whites have naturally dropped off the radar since the glorious high of the World Cup. But how many New Zealanders are first-choice in a major European league? That's right, just one.
8. Kirk Penney (12)
King of the Breakers
Remains our best hoopster and one of our most friendly and marketable sporting faces. Penney gets bumped up into the top 10 after leading the Breakers to a breakthrough victory in the Australian league in April.
9. Brendon McCullum (11)
The dynamo
Would have been an exciting choice as Black Caps captain, but missed out to the more temperate Taylor. McCullum is aggressive and exciting. But his double century as an opener in India late last year showed he can also apply himself.
10. Casey Williams (14)
Inspiring leader
Might not be feeling too cheery right now after New Zealand's extra-time loss to Australia in the world netball championships final six days ago. But you couldn't really blame Williams. Even on one good leg, the captain and defensive ace was arguably the Silver Ferns' best player.
~ THE REST ~
11. Kieran Read (new)
Now an automatic pick at No 8 for the All Blacks and a likely future captain.
12. Daniel Vettori (2)
Will still be a key player for the Black Caps but has shed the responsibility of captaincy.
13. Scott Dixon (7)
Keeping consistent on one of world motorsport's biggest stages.
14. Irene van Dyk (6)
Those legs are understandably fading but she's still pretty darn good at getting the ball through the hoop.
15. Owen Franks (new)
Anyone still worried that Carl Hayman decided to stay in France?
16. Kayla Sharland (new)
Leading from the front as the Black Sticks climb the world rankings.
17. Hamish Bond/Eric Murray (new)
Rowing's golden boys.
18. Nick Willis (new)
An unfortunate omission last year. Our classiest runner for a generation.
19. Alison Shanks (17)
Robbed of a chance to win the individual pursuit at the Olympics but will chase gold as part of a team.
20. Mahe Drysdale (5)
Lost a lot of fans with his anti-All Whites comments after the Halberg Awards. Has also struggled with injury.
21. Jacko Gill (new)
How long before the athletics wunderkind is in our top 10? The sky's the limit.
22. Jossi Wells (new)
The freeskiing king got a massive boost with the news his sport had been added to the Winter Olympics.
23. Marina Erakovic (new)
Coming back into form and made the doubles semifinals at Wimbledon.
24. Paige Hareb (23)
Getting better all the time and just finished seventh at the world surfing games.
25. Julian Dean (13)
Still the only Kiwi in the Tour de France.
DROPPING OUT:
• Shane Smeltz (10)
• Dean Barker (15)
• David Tua (18)
• Winston Reid (19)
• Conrad Smith (20)
• Michael Campbell (21)
• Sean Marks (22)
• Sarah Walker (24)
• Brad Thorn (25)
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