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Sport Nation's biggest on-air moments of 2024
Logan Swinkels • December 27th, 2024 8:00 am
2024 was incredible for Kiwi sport. Whether you were one of the elite few to represent New Zealand, or you're at home, work, or wherever cheering on your favourite athletes and teams, there was plenty to be thankful for.
But it was also was a massive year for Sport Nation - the year of our 'rebirth' so to speak. On November 19, we said goodbye to our SENZ branding for something bolder and a lot more green.
As the station's digital executive producer, it's my role to amplify the big moments on-air and in the commentary booth - these are the ones that standout the most from the year that's just been.
Cam George crashes Magic Round commentary box
The NZ Warriors came into the 2024 season with something they don't usually have: hype and expectation.
While fans flocked in support on both sides of the Tasman, the on-field product battled through injuries to key players throughout the NRL season and Andrew Webster's side ended up 13th on the ladder with a win-draw-loss record of 9-1-14.
But the standout moment of their year came during May's Magic Round in Brisbane, as the Warriors once again faced the Penrith Panthers at Suncorp Stadium.
'The Wahs' were battered and bruised which caused a few lineup changes, including young Taine Tuaupiki starting at fullback and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad shifting into the No. 6 jersey, but they forgot to read the script about letting the defending premiers walk all over them.
Tuaupiki crossed the line in the 70th minute for the match-winning try, locking in a 22-20 victory and making it their best highlight in what was a disappointing season.
We were stationed in the SEN corporate box for the weekend, and the Warriors' box was next door, and as referee Grant Atkins blew the full-time whistle, CEO Cameron George decided to crash our own party to give us one of our best on-air moments of the NRL season.
Lulu Sun at Wimbledon
Born in Te Anau, the 23-year-old began flying the New Zealand flag in April as part of the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup team.
And while only the die-hard tennis fanatics could likely claim they knew who Sun was then, she quickly became a household name in New Zealand when she she took the nation on a ride of emotions during Wimbledon.
Scotty & Izzy were live on-air the moment Sun made tennis history by becoming the first NZ woman to reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals in the Open Era - their reaction was one of pure joy...
Smithy goes viral on Valentine's Day
We have a lot of fun in the cricket commentary booth - and usually that fun revolves around the storytelling and jokes shared between the likes of Ian Smith, Jeremy Coney and John Bracewell.
It was no different on February 14 when play-by-play caller Garth Gallaway posed a question to Smithy, who claims that Valentine's Day is everyday in his household.
Lydia Ko wins the Women's British Open
Scotty & Izzy were making a habit of being on-air while big Kiwi sporting moments happened in 2024.
Just a month on from Lulu Sun's historic Wimbledon run, Lydia Ko continued her own inspiring run of form - fresh from claiming the Olympic gold medal in Paris to complete her set, Ko won her first major since 2016.
Winning at the Old Course at St. Andrews is truly special, and the lads made sure the nation knew about it!
Beav stays strong on All Blacks eligibility rule
The Run Home host Stephen Donald knows what it means to put on the black jersey and play for the All Blacks on the biggest stage.
But as chatter increased around the possibility of NZ Rugby revisiting the rules around All Blacks eligibility, allowing overseas-based players like Richie Mo'unga to be named, Beav provided a passionate, well thought out counterargument in favour of keeping the status quo.
Staffy pays tribute to Kiwi Olympians
"Thank you so much for making me feel so awesome."
Sport Nation Afternoons host Mark Stafford reflected on New Zealand's most-successful Olympic campaign, where the NZ team took home ten gold medal, along with 7 silver and 3 bronze.
If you're the patriotic type, this will likely get you right in the feels.
