Phil Gifford: A short history of America's Cup back-stabbing

Dennis Connor waves farewell after his team Stars and Stripes lost to Team NZ in 1995. Photo / Getty Images.

As we say goodbye to 2020 and welcome in 2021, it's a good time to catch up on the very best of the Herald columnists we enjoyed reading over the last 12 months. From politics to sport, from business to entertainment and lifestyle, these are the voices and views our audience loved the most. Today it's the top three from Phil Gifford.

America's Cup drama: A history

Genuine unpleasantness and rage peek out very occasionally in sport.

Boxers oddly enough, away from pre-fight hype, are usually pleasant guys, respectful of opponents. But when they break ranks, the results can be startling.

But for sheer volume, when it comes to verbal sniping, nothing beats the America's Cup. Back-stabbing, wild claims, and more ill-feeling than an American Presidential debate - these aren't a sidebar in the Cup's history, they're often the main course.

Gifford looks back at the drama and conflict of previous America's Cup regattas.

The former skipper of Team New Zealand's Americas Cup winning campaign, Russell Coutts, right and tactician Brad Butterworth. Photo / Getty Images

A short history of unpopular All Blacks coaches

In the words of an American Civil War era Gospel song, All Black coach Ian Foster is currently having to walk that lonesome valley.

If you believe the pundits then under Foster the All Blacks have already "lost their aura". Apparently he has the team "playing tiddlywinks". Another critic claims the man "many assume pulls the strings" is actually assistant coach John Plumtree.

Foster might however take some consolation from the fact he's still far from the most unpopular All Black coaching appointment, and two men who were initially slated proved to be hugely successful.

Gifford looks at some of the unpopular All Blacks coaching appointments in the past.

Graham Henry, Ian Foster and Laurie Mains. Photo / Getty Images

How I'll remember Phil Kingsley Jones

Wales-born Phil Kingsley Jones, who has died at the age of 72 earlier this year, was revered by people in Counties Manukau rugby, and deserves a special place in the hearts of All Black fans too.

Without him, Jonah Lomu might have played out his career in Australian league.

Not once, but twice, it was Lomu's Welsh father figure who kept him in New Zealand.

Comedian, player, coach, mentor - Gifford remembers the former manager.

Jonah Lomu with manager Phil Kingsley Jones in 1996. Photo / Photosport