Andrew Webster, Shaun Johnson, Zoe Hobbs, Mark Robinson Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Opinion - Dear Santa, we've been mostly good this year. So, it's fair that as a New Zealand sporting public, we can jump on your lap and ask for some stuff.
Here's a list of things for next year that would be great.
Crowds start showing back up
Up the wahs fans. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Stands look bad when they're not full, so maybe some sort of inspiration to the marketing departments of all teams that aren't the All Blacks or Warriors? Really, it's about time they started realising that they need to throw some money and thought at the game-day experience.
Some direction on the waterfront stadium
Artist's impression of a new Auckland stadium. Photo: RNZ / Supplied
Speaking of which, building a whole new stadium would be a decent start. It seems unlikely that any sort of construction will be happening in the near future, but at least a decision on whether or not Auckland will get a long-awaited stadium on the waterfront would generate some serious interest.
TMOs get sorted
Referee Wayne Barnes watches a TMO Review with Assistant Referee James Doleman and Assistant Referee Angus Gardner during the Rugby World Cup France 2023. Photo: Stu Forster
Super Rugby has at least read the room on this issue and said the TMO's influence on games is going to be reduced, but at what point does the whole concept of technology for officiating just become too hard? VAR and the NRL bunker are weekly gripes, with the only real accepted success being in cricket - and even that is not without its flaws.
We don't need to talk to Mark Robinson unless it's at the bar
NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The NZ Rugby CEO is a good bloke when he's not having to rattle off corporate-speak about governance, so why don't we just keep it that way? An issue-free season for NZR is impossible to foresee, but since Robinson's job to bring large scale directional change both financially and culturally is well underway, it'd be nice to just concentrate on footy for a while.
Stop sanitising sports experiences
Not every rugby game is great, not every player is amazing and fans have a right to say so since they're the ones paying for it, both through tickets and TV subscriptions. Not every aspect of criticism has to end with a discussion about mental health.
The Black Caps don't disgrace themselves against Australia
Glenn Phillips of New Zealand batting against Bangladesh, Mirpur, 2023. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Despite their patchy form, a Black Caps test series win against South Africa is feasibly within reach later on this summer. But really the big-ticket item is the two-test series against the all-conquering Australians in March, so let's set a realistic goal of simply making sure each of them goes into the fifth day, then build from there?
An Olympic track final/medal
Zoe Hobbs of New Zealand Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Zoe Hobbs simply making the Olympic 100m final would rank as one of the greatest athletics achievements a New Zealander has accomplished. She's the best hope on the track, which would be nice to go alongside the big folks throwing shot put during the athletics event.
Scott Robertson returns the All Blacks to their rightful place in NZ society
Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson celebrates with his traditional break dance. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
New Zealand hasn't fallen out of love with the All Blacks, but it's fair to say the relationship hasn't exactly been at its strongest recently. It's certainly been worse, but Robertson bringing a new persona to the team as its main character has the potential to give the All Blacks the level of cultural transcendency they've been lacking lately.
Warriors win the premiership
Warriors coach Andrew Webster (L) congratulates Shaun Johnson (R) during the NRL Semi Final match between the New Zealand Warriors and Newcastle Knights at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart. Photo: Fiona Goodall
They've got the team, a decent draw and a stability that's not been seen at Mt Smart for years. So why not dare to dream? Andrew Webster has the chance to create a dynasty with this Warriors group, with signings that are pointing to serious succession planning in the coming years. Addin Fonua-Blake is going and presumably it's Shaun Johnson's last season, so there's the fairy-tale aspect to what the Warriors can achieve in 2024.
Wellington Phoenix win the A-League
They're going great guns right now, with a new manager and sitting top of the table heading into Christmas. The Nix have a well-balanced look to their side and while it's a long way to the end of the A-League season, the signs are there that they can ride the momentum to a maiden title.
The new Auckland team get a decent name
Meanwhile, up the road all the talk is about the aforementioned waterfront stadium 'Dollar' Bill Foley is planning on building. But there's the matter of what hisnew A-League team is going to be called, which is a fun little guessing game that everyone is just hoping doesn't end in disaster.
It doesn't rain at the ASB Classic
If nothing else than so we don't have to re-tread our annual articles about Stanley Street needing a roof.