Decade dominated by Woods, Williams

There was much excitement - and a little paranoia - at the end of the 1990s, which to be fair marked the end of a millennium. But we are just 19 days away from the end of another decade and hardly anyone is talking about the highs and lows of the "noughties". Sports editor Hayden Meikle sums up the sports decade by identifying its greatest stars.

SUPREME AWARDS
Sportsman: Tiger Woods (golf). The decade has not ended quite how the greatest golfer in history would have planned.

But you can't deny Woods' achievements on the course were spectacular over the decade.

He won 12 Majors and 56 PGA Tour titles, and had eight years where he was ranked No 1 for all 52 weeks. And he earned a billion dollars.

Sportswoman: Serena Williams (tennis).

Has copped her share of bad press for her size, the times she seemed disinterested and one very nasty tirade at a line judge.

But the younger Williams sister dominated women's tennis over the decade, winning 10 Grand Slam singles titles, eight Grand Slam doubles titles and two Olympic doubles gold medals.

RUGBY

Player of the decade: Richie McCaw (New Zealand).
Fast, intelligent and indestructible.

The only blemish on his record is his captaincy of the All Black team that bombed out of the 2007 World Cup. On the field, McCaw has no peer.

Honourable mentions: Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland), Dan Carter (New Zealand), Jonny Wilkinson (England), Martin Johnson (England), Victor Matfield (South Africa), John Smit (South Africa), George Smith (Australia), Juan Martin Hernandez (Argentina).

Team of the decade: Crusaders.

Honourable mentions: All Blacks, South Africa, England, Munster, Leicester.

FOOTBALL
Player of the decade: Kaka (Brazil).

Won a World Cup, two Confederations Cups, a Scudetto and a Champions League title.

Named both European and world player of the year.

Honourable mentions: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Steven Gerrard (England), Fabio Cannavaro (Italy), Zinedine Zidane (France), Thierry Henry (France), Ronaldinho (Brazil), Lionel Messi (Argentina).

New Zealander: Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn).

Team of the decade: Manchester United.

Honourable mentions: Italy, Brazil, Spain, Barcelona, Chelsea.

BASKETBALL
Player of the decade: Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers).

Four NBA rings, 10 All-Star selections, one MVP, two scoring titles and an Olympic gold medal.

Honourable mentions: LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers), Steve Nash (Phoenix Suns), Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks), Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs).

New Zealander: Kirk Penney (Breakers).

Team of the decade: Los Angeles Lakers.

MOTORSPORT
Driver of the decade: Michael Schumacher (Germany).

Five consecutive Formula 1 titles from 2000 to 2005.

Honourable mentions: Valentino Rossi (Italy), Sebastien Loeb (France), Jimmie Johnson (United States), Helio Castroneves (Brazil).

New Zealander: Scott Dixon (IndyCar).

RUGBY LEAGUE
Player of the decade: Darren Lockyer (Australia).

Was the world's best fullback before becoming the world's best five-eighth.

Won a Clive Churchill Medal, three Dally M medals and two Golden Boots.

Honourable mentions: Jamie Peacock (England), Billy Slater (Australia), Johnathon Thurston (Australia), Ruben Wiki (New Zealand).

Team of the decade: Queensland.