1 Kieran Read
(8 last year)
It’s business as usual for the All Blacks with the ever-enthusiastic Kieran Read at the helm. The No 8 is similar to his predecessor Richie McCaw in that he leads by example, but he has a certain plaintive charm about him — much like his doppelganger, American actor and director Michael Rapaport.
2 Lydia Ko
(3)
Since the previous version of the power rankings in July 2015, OUR Lydia has won two majors, five other LPGA events, and claimed silver at the Rio Olympics. Seemingly unflappable, she’ll be a fixture near the top of the power rankings for years to come.
3 Steven Adams
(5)
Just take a look at the mustachioed Adams at number #3 this year, because there’s every chance he’ll be at the top of the list after contract negotiations at the end of the 2016/17 season. After a steady regular season for OKC, Adams became a serious producer of points and rebounds in the NBA playoffs — and also really annoyed the Warriors’ Draymond Green along the way. Now, about your Tall Blacks availability, Steven . . .
4 Kane Williamson
(4)
Steady The Ship Williamson has done exactly that since Brendon McCullum retired. Fears that the captaincy could temper his run-scoring were largely unfounded, as he became just the 12th batsman to score test centuries against all test nations just a few weeks back. He’ll break all New Zealand records by the time he is done.
5 Joseph Parker
(7)
The next few months will be make or break for Parker — not only in his career, but for his spot on the all-important ODT power rankings. He’s notching up the wins against fighters of varying standards, but the title fight against Anthony Joshua will determine whether he’s a contender or pretender.
6 Hayden Paddon
(12)
His Rally Of Argentina victory was unprecedented in New Zealand rallying history. In a sport dominated by Europeans (and quite a few Scandinavians among those), the boy from Geraldine is surely worthy of being renamed Paddonen.
7 Valerie Adams
(9)
After a tough year or so for Val, it appeared she may grasp gold for the third straight Olympics, but Michelle Carter came along and spoiled the party. Still, she’s at her consistent best in the IAAF Diamond League events, and is well settled within our top 10.
8 Beauden Barrett
(new)
This list is timely, with Barrett announcing this week he has re-signed with New Zealand, the Hurricanes and Taranaki until the end of 2019. Plenty of pundits are suggesting he’s the best player in the world right now, and it’s pretty hard to argue with that.
9 Peter Burling
(new)
Burling is just bossing it from gold in the 49er class at the Olympics through to his work with Team New Zealand. It is early in his career, but in Peter we trust? If he can turn around the horrors of the 2013 campaign, who knows where he might be on the list next year.
10 Lisa Carrington
(unranked)
With gold and bronze at Rio for the Whakatane Whirlpool (yes, we just made up that nickname), the flagbearer at the closing ceremony is popular right across the country for her K1 sprint exploits.
11 Aaron Smith
(13)
Never mind the locks, the loosies and the loosehead props — ‘‘Nugget’’ might well be the most important member of the All Blacks with his boundless energy.
12 Hamish Bond/Eric Murray
(16)
Sixty-nine wins in a row. Speaks for itself, really. They send their rivals rowing scared to other boats.
13 Winston Reid
(15)
Keeps getting the job done on defence in the English Premier League — a competition which is still the holy grail for many young New Zealand footballers.
14 Laura Langman
(new)
Made a bold move by signing with the NSW Swifts for the ANZ Championship and it almost paid off with the Swifts last-gasp loss to the Firebirds. Vital member of the Silver Ferns in the mid-court.
15 Mahe Drysdale
(new)
Has earned the right to retire whenever he likes after his second straight gold in the single sculls. Not sure our hearts can handle another close finish like Rio though, Mahe!
16 Eliza McCartney
(new)
The sheer, unbridled joy she displayed (as she was dropping to the mat, no less!) showed us what the Olympics are all about. Big career ahead.
17 Tom Walsh
(new)
Measure twice, cut once is the builder’s mantra but the officials need plenty of tape (or laser beam) to measure Tom’s throws. Clinched the Diamond League title yesterday with a throw over 22m.
18 Danny Lee
(17)
Two top-10 finishes so far this year for Danny Lee on the PGA Tour. Still prone to blowing out in one round, but did make the cut in three of the four majors this year.
19 Brodie Retallick/Sam Whitelock
(10/new)
Retallick joined this list last year as a solo entry, but these two need to be treated as a pair. Should end up as the All Blacks’ best locking pair in history.
20 Shaun Johnson
(6)
Clinging on to this list after a mixed 2016 with the Warriors. Liable to go missing in games, but his moments of brilliance are unmatched in rugby league.
21 Scott Dixon
(22)
A quiet year by Dixon’s standards, but still a regular contender in the Indy Car League, sitting sixth for now.
22 Nick Willis
(new)
Keeps producing the goods on the big stage. If the Rio 1500m was 1600m, who knows? 5000m is his target for 2020.
23 Mark Purdon/Natalie Rasmussen
(new)
Simply brilliant harness racing training and driving partnership, ridiculously far above their peers.
24 Luuka Jones
(new)
Made New Zealanders interested in whitewater canoeing with her surprise silver.
25 James McDonald
(new)
Yes, another racing entry, but it’s my list. The jockey from Cambridge won the Sydney premiership and still wasn’t happy. Determination will take him a long way.
Dropping out
Brendon McCullum (1)
Richie McCaw (2)
Trent Boult (11)
Maria Tutaia (14)
Eddie Dawkins (18)
Casey Kopua (19)
Simon Mannering (20)
Ben Smith (21)
Dexter Dunn (23)
Lauren Boyle (24)
Gemma Flynn (25)
Last year
Brendon McCullum (1)
Richie McCaw (2)
Lydia Ko (3)
Kane Williamson (4)
Steven Adams (5)
Shaun Johnson (6)
Joseph Parker (7)
Kieran Read (8)
Valerie Adams (9)
Brodie Retallick (10)
Trent Boult (11)
Hayden Paddon (12)
Aaron Smith (13)
Maria Tutaia (14)
Winston Reid (15)
Bond/Murray (16)
Danny Lee (17)
Eddie Dawkins (18)
Casey Kopua (19)
Simon Mannering (20)
Ben Smith (21)
Scott Dixon (22)
Dexter Dunn (23)
Lauren Boyle (24)
Gemma Flynn (25)
