It's that of time of the year - the RNZ Sports crew look back of the sporting highlights, lowlights, and oddities of the sporting year that was.
Here are Clay Wilson's thoughts on 2022.
What was your sporting highlight of the year?
Black Ferns coach Wayne Smith with the Rugby World Cup trophy. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
The Black Ferns triumph at the Rugby World Cup had it all.
Four thumping defeats to their two biggest rivals less than a year out from the tournament. A damning review into the team environment. The subsequent departure of the head coach.
Then, the revival.
A Professor joins the ranks. Relaxed and empowered players - engaged with the public and not afraid to be themselves in the spotlight. A refreshed game plan. A 'nothing to lose' and 'let's have a red hot crack' attitude on home soil. Rugby like we played as bare-footed school kids. But international rugby like it's barely been played before.
A frenetic semifinal win over the formidable French. Then the crowning glory. A sold out crowd at Eden Park and an edge-of-your-seat, back-and-forth victory over world No 1 England in the final. A victory capped in the dying seconds by a match-winning lineout steal and ensuing wild celebrations.
Some would argue our national game needed a shot in the arm. The Black Ferns more than delivered.
What was your sporting lowlight of the year?
The late leg spin king Shane Warne. Photo: AFP or licensors
Nine years ago, in my first job in this industry, I somehow managed to nab a one-on-one interview with Australian cricket legend Shane Warne.
The spin king's death this year at the age of just 52 was one of those shocking, 'remember where you were' moments.
As a Kiwi, it felt like you shouldn't laud over him. As a cricket fan, there was no choice. That day back in 2013, he couldn't have been more obliging.
I spent my childhood trying to emulate him in the backyard. Anytime I have a cricket ball in my hands, I still am.
Shane Warne was an absolute wizard on the field and one of the sport's great characters off it.
It's no surprise his death reverberated around the cricketing, and sporting world.
Best sporting surprise of 2022?
Golfer Lydia Ko had a resoundingly successful year. Photo: AFP
She signalled it in 2021 and, in 2022, Lydia Ko confirmed her return as a golfing superstar.
A staggering 14 top 10 finishes, including three more wins, taking her professional tally to 19.
The last of her wins this year, at the season-ending event in Florida, saw her collect the biggest first place prize in the history of women's sport. A whopping $NZ3.2 million.
The victory also put her back at the top of the world rankigs for the first time in more than five years.
She is now on the brink of the LPGA Tour's Hall of Fame. At the age of just 25.
Biggest off-field disappointment of the year?
Ruahei Demant Photo: Aaron Gillions / www.photosport.nz
The ongoing and increased use by athletes and coaches of this collection of letters ... L, E, A, R, N, I, N, G, S.
Let's be very clear. These nine letters used together are not a word. I'm not sure how it started or who started it, but it is not a thing.
For contexts in which this collection of letters are used, there is a perfectly good word, which has existed for many years now.
Lessons. When something happens and you learn from it, it is a lesson.
Black Ferns co-captain Ruahei Demant knows what I mean. She told Morning Report earlier this year the team had "learnt some lessons" from last year's Northern Tour. Not a collection of nine other letters to be found.
One thing I'll be keeping an eye on in 2023?
Liam Lawson. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Liam Lawson's continued progress towards a seat at motorsport's top table.
The 20-year-old from Pukekohe drove in a Formula One practice session three times in 2022. The last of those came in world champion Max Verstappen's car. Lawson was also Red Bull Racing's representative in the annual end-of-year young driver test in Abu Dhabi.
So while the cards didn't always fall in his favour in the F2 Championship, where he finished third overall, there was still a lot to be positive about.
Next year sees the young Kiwi make the move to the Japan-based Super Formula series, while he will also remain the official reserve driver for the Red Bull and Alpha Tauri F1 teams.
Make no mistake, Red Bull still think very highly of Liam Lawson. That place in Formula One continues to loom larger.
-RNZ
