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Sport Nation's Year in Review: Most outstanding NZ team of 2024
Sport Nation • December 24th, 2024 7:35 am
With a blockbuster 12 months of sports in the rear-view mirror, what better way to wind up than by reflecting on some of the stellar achievements of one of the most memorable years of Kiwi excellence in recent memory.
Today, the guys cast their vote for the best NZ team of 2024.
Andrew Gourdie, sports broadcaster & Mornings with Ian Smith regular: White Ferns
The 2024 achievements of the White Ferns should be an example to all future generations of young Kiwi athletes to believe in yourself and never give up.
The team's astonishing turnaround - breaking a soul-destroying run of ten consecutive T20 international losses to win the ICC T20 World Cup - was an achievement bordering on a miracle.
They beat India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan to emerge from their group before toppling West Indies in the semi final. The team then delivered a dominant performance on the biggest stage of all, securing a comfortable victory over South Africa in the final that saw New Zealand claim its first T20 World Cup title.
Photo: Photosport
The tournament also saw the coming of age of Amelia Kerr. She was the player of the match in the final that saw her score the most runs and take the most wickets. She finished the World Cup as the tournament's leading wicket taker, and was rightly named player of the series.
The White Ferns' performance in the UAE. was truly memorable. A comeback for the ages that deserves to see them recognised as the Team of the Year.
Logan Swinkels, digital executive producer: NZ Olympic pole vault team
It’s easily the dark horse pick of the group since they didn't win, and many that know me might assume I would default to the White Ferns...but I can't go past having three Kiwis in the women’s pole vault final at Paris 2024.
That moment alone filled me with so much pride for New Zealand – and while it’s an individual sport, Eliza McCartney, Olivia McTaggart and Imogen Ayris were at Stade de France that day as ‘The NZ Team’.
McCartney’s build up was shortened following years of injury frustration and still managed to place 6th equal (4.7m), while McTaggart’s clearance of 4.6m on the second attempt, and Ayris’ clearance on the third attempt, saw them place 12th and 13th respectively.
The trio is building to potentially something special in LA 2028.
Staffy's surprise gift for Kiwi pole vaulter Olivia McTaggart | Sport Nation
Sam Hewat, Scotty & Izzy executive producer & NRL commentator: Black Ferns Sevens
Plenty of New Zealand teams picked up success in 2024, but perhaps not as consistently as the Black Ferns Sevens.
Following a rough start to their World Sevens campaign at the end of 2023, they won four tournaments on the bounce heading into the Finals Series in Spain.
Unfortunately, they were unstuck against Australia in the semifinal and finished third for a bronze medal, but they returned to the top of the mountain at the Olympics defeating Canada in the gold medal match to defend their Olympic crown.
They were crowned New Zealand Rugby's Team of the Year alongside a host of individual accolades.
Stephen Foote, digital producer: Blues
The Blues ended 13 years of pain for their long-suffering fans with one of the most dominant runs to the Super Rugby title in a decade.
The Auckland-based franchise dropped just two games in their march to the finals, posting the highest points per game average (35) since the Robbie Deans Crusaders of 2005.
The finishing touch came with the most one-sided final win since 2012, tearing through the Chiefs 41-10 at a sodden Eden Park to consign the Temu titles won during the convoluted Covid era to a mere afterthought.
Reuben Bradley, content manager: Blackcaps
There are some who will discount the enormity of the what the Blackcaps achieved in India, due to the performance against England, and I was very nearly one of them. But the Ghosts of Cricket Past visited me just in time for the festive season to set me right.
What’s so remarkable is how it was such a 'team' performance, it what’s generally considered the most 'individual' of team sports.
From Mitchell Santer’s 13-wicket bag in the second test, Ajaz Patel grabbing 11 in the third, Will Young’s consistent scores throughout, Ravindra’s swash buckling century in the first Test, and the Henry-O’Rourke show in the famous 46 all-out, there were performances all across the board. That doesn’t capture all of them.
The achievement was phenomenal – a clean sweep of India, in India, but it was also a truly 'team' performance.
Photo: AP
