You can imagine the ad for next years awards. (Deep voice guy) This Feb sit back for a night of Rowing entertainment. Yes that's right all the rowing you can get. We will throw in has been's, and people that you have never heard of before but be entertained as it's going to be Rowing Rowing Rowing. If you want to see the History breaking All Whites then switch the channel as it's all Rowing.

Having just read through all these comments it is obvious that everyone is very passionate about sport. SO why can't everyone accept the Halberg awards as an opportunity to recognise ALL the athletes that have performed and been named as finalists. Instead of using it as an opportunity to disrespect the hard work of many of our sports people!

The All Whites did receive recognition they were named finalists! Not everybody can win but by inviting all the top athletes in our country to these awards the Halbergs judges are trying to acknowledge and reward them all.

It is an impossible task to choose one over another when the scale of acheivement, participation and skill type varies so greatly. I imagine there would be more complaint if the Halbergs did not exist and there was no recognition system at all.

Plus you may say you hate rowing but come olympic time everyone would be very disappointed without the added medal tally.

Grow up and recognise the motivation, effort and achievement of all of these teams and athletes rather than trying to rank one better than the others.

This is the first time I've seen Caroline and Georgina's correct names. The girls have grown up and got married but it seems that very few media outlets actually care.

I'm an identical twin, how those two get on so well is beyond me, my sister and I fight like cats and dogs, and trying to put us in a boat and row in the same direction would be the start of WW 3. So huge congratulations to them both, you have something very special!!

WOW! There seems to be a lot of negativity floating aroud these Halberg decisions. For the all whites to win team of the year, shouldn't they atleast beat a team that are actually decent at the game?

All of the winners cempete in sports that are extremely well contested, and they are all world champs... what could possibly be a higher achievement?

p.s. Soccer is for fags! bunch of whinging wannabe actors.

KL #52

Rowers work hard! And your point is. Pick a sport where they competitors don't. We have some fantastic sports people who achieve amazing feats who never get mentioned.

Perhaps the new awards that will replace the 'Halberg tunnel visions' awards will consider a more global perspective.

As our country grows up a realises you don't need to be world champion of a minority elitist sport to have done something worthy. Rowing is an elitist sport practised by a few amazing giants and a few school kids. Good for them but their impact in the world ... is very small but the Halberg tunnel visions can't see anything else.

The Halbergs judges have lost sight of who we are and where we fit in. They don't have the confidence to stick their necks out and say "you know what, that was stunning."

Change your brief. You're losing everyone.

Congrates to all our athelets,well done. One thing though. Valerie Vili winning yet again. Dosent make alot of sense to me. Dont get me wrong, shes really good. But is womens shotput that big a sport world wide. Not trying to be mean. Last year Scott Dixon won the "great race", first kiwi driver ever, won the championship(9 months of racing), equaled record for most wins in a season, in a sport that is way bigger and alot more competitive than shot put will ever be. Dont understand. What is it with shotput and helbergs???

Have to agree with Sporty #47, The Sky coverage was awful, too long, almost embrassing , Andrew at times asked stupid questions. It showed that Sky really dont have the experience to carry off a live show like that. Does anyone know why it was not on TV1??

#11 Minority sports...where the sportsman\woman is in actual fact a world champion generally. Rugby Fail. "In NZ the most talented sportsman and athletes play rugby" lol LOL LOL. Joke. Fat plodding thick lumber jockies running around a field. Fun game.

Alex #59 11:46am There are so many absurd comments by people criticising athletics and rowing that to my guess know absolutely nothing about either sport. ....................................................... i think you will find Alex that this is the problem, the public dont care about either of these sports. if this is for the people then the all whites would have one hands down.

I dont have a problem with Dick Tonks or the twins winning, but come on give me a break on the others. Vettori & all whites for sure.

Mahey Drysdale.... wolrd champs, blah blah blah. someone let me know when he wins the olympic gold. Him winning this for his achievements at the world champs makes as much sense as the all blacks winning the team of the year for taking out the tri nations and bledisloe. wait until they win the one that counts they both appear to peak to early.