A lot can change in a year. But then, some things never change. Welcome to the fifth annual Otago Daily Times sports power rankings. Your guide, as always, is Hayden Meikle.
As Cersei Lannister said in Game of Thrones: Power is power.
That is really all the definition you need for this list.
It is, as it always has been, a snapshot of the New Zealand sporting landscape.
Once a year, we - well, I - rank active New Zealand athletes based on status, achievement, profile and a fourth category known simply as ''you know, just because''.
On-field performers only. No coaches, no managers, no chief executives, no commentators and no owners.
As I say every year: This is my opinion, so it cannot be wrong. Complaints and suggestions are welcome (see email below). But this is my opinion, so it cannot be wrong.
The figures in parentheses represent where the athletes appeared in last year's power rankings.
The top 10
1. Richie McCaw (1)
King Richard V
Holds on to top spot for a fifth consecutive year. For the first time, I had serious misgivings about keeping McCaw on the throne. He is NOT past it. He WILL still be the All Black captain through to the end of the 2015 World Cup. But clearly he is an awful lot closer to the end of his career than to his peak.
2. Brendon McCullum (3)
Oh captain, my captain
What a stunning few months for the pride of South Dunedin. McCullum inherited the captaincy of the Black Caps in awkward circumstances, and responded in UTTERLY magnificent fashion. His obscenely prolific summer was highlighted by the first triple century in New Zealand test history, and his captaincy has been a revelation.
3. Steven Adams (4)
Thunder struck
A year ago, I was excited about the potential within our gentle giant but was also convinced he would spend most of his debut NBA season in a development league. Um, yeah. Adams is, as they say over there, ''legit''. And he should just get better in the coming years.
4. Lydia Ko (8)
Ready, set, Ko
Lydia, slow down! You have years ahead of you. But our golden golfer is in a heck of a hurry and it is surely only a matter of time before she is ranked No 1 in the world and has multiple major titles to her name. No disrespect to the others, but she has single-handedly made women's golf relevant to the masses.
5. Valerie Adams (2)
The Invincible
So dominant it's almost boring. The shot put queen drops a couple of places because it's not an Olympic year. That feels a little unfair, because she is one of the most remarkable athletes in the world. She just refuses to be beaten.
6. Kieran Read (12)
The new boss
Richie retains the captaincy, but Kieran holds the status of most important All Black. The No 8 has no peer in the game. Let's all cross our fingers the head knocks don't ruin his career, or affect his life outside the game.
7. Winston Reid (7)
Hammer time
The All Whites have dropped off the radar. But don't blame Reid, who remains a regular presence in arguably the biggest sporting league in the world.8. Joseph Parker (new)Baby JoeToo high? Possibly, considering he hasn't remotely approached the heights scaled by the much-maligned David Tua. But Parker's profile is exploding and there is genuine interest in how far our new gloveman will go.
9. Lauren Boyle (10)
Water performer
She is the heart and soul of New Zealand swimming.
10. Kane Williamson (new)
The chosen one
It's no longer just about potential - Williamson is already performing at a world-class standard, and he is doing it regularly. But it is incredibly exciting to think what might happen in the coming years. What a talent.
The rest
11. Casey Kopua (16)
Set to lead the Silver Ferns in search of another Commonwealth Games gold medal.
12. Shaun Johnson (new)
The face of the Warriors and the Kiwis.
13. Hamish Bond/Eric Murray (11)
Rowing is meant to be competitive at the elite level, but these guys are too good to give their opponents a sniff.
14. Ross Taylor (17)
The captaincy angst is in the past, and he can concentrate on scoring buckets of runs.
15. Conrad Smith (new)
Mr Reliable in the All Black backline.
16. Dan Carter (9)
Has to drop because he hasn't been playing. And is he even a first-choice All Black now?
17. Lisa Carrington (13)
Not just a pretty face. Though that has helped bring in the sponsorship.
18. Sonny Bill Williams (5)
Not quite the national obsession he was, though that may change when he returns to rugby.
19. Brodie Retallick (new)
In barnstorming form. If he keeps this up, will enter the debate for player worthy of joining Colin Meads in the second row of the greatest All Black XV.
20. The Wells boys (22)
Jossi, Byron and Beau-James made Dad (their coach) and all of us proud at the Winter Olympics.
21. Scott Dixon (15)
Hasn't won a race this season but is still one of the most respected drivers in the Indy Car series.
22. Marina Erakovic (14)
Recently won her eighth WTA doubles title and retains a world singles ranking inside the top 70.
23 Ben Smith (new)
The king of Green Island has captured the attention of the rugby world and has finally got a chance to play for the All Blacks in his preferred position.
24. Dexter Dunn (new)
Racing royalty. Just keeps driving those winners.
25. Levi Sherwood (new)
Massive in the freestyle motocross world. Does things that don't even seem possible.
Dropping out
• Benji Marshall (6)
• Kirk Penney (18)
• Marco Rojas (19)
• Irene van Dyk (20)
• James McDonald (21)
• Kayla Whitelock (23)
• David Tua (24)
• Greg Henderson (25)
