Rowing, rugby dominate Halberg Awards

Richie McCaw. Photo / Getty Images

Rugby, rowing and shot putting will go head-to-head for the major spoils when the 2011 Westpac Halberg Awards are handed out in Auckland next month.

Thirteen sports are represented among the finalists announced yesterday but the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup triumph and the rowers' world championship success have captured the judges' imagination. Each of those codes has five contenders in consideration for major honours.

All Black captain Richie McCaw and barnstorming flanker Jerome Kaino are up against sculler Mahe Drysdale for Sportsman of the Year, Sir Graham Henry and sevens maestro Gordon Tietjens face rowing guru Richard Tonks for Coach of the Year, while the All Blacks must stave off three gold medal crews - the men's double sculls, men's pair and women's pair - for Team of the Year.

The men's double of Eric Murray and Hamish Bond were named world rowing's Crew of the Year after winning three consecutive world titles. Nathan Cohen and Joseph Sullivan have twice captured the double sculls crown, as have pair oar Juliette Haigh and Rebecca Scown in the women's.

A feature of the men's category is the return of double Olympic equestrian champion Mark Todd 23 years after winning his only previous Halberg. Todd (55) earned a finals spot with his fourth victory at the prestigious Badminton International Horse Trials last year.

Cycling exponent Dayle Cheatley completes the coaching field for his work with the women's pursuit team that won a bronze medal at the world track championships.

Shot put world champion Valerie Adams is a favourite to bag her sixth straight Sportswoman of the Year, but must overcome world canoeing champion Lisa Carrington, world bowls champion Jo Edwards and triathlon star Andrea Hewitt.

Another shot putter - Jacko Gill - will contest the Emerging Talent prize, as will NZ Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson, world junior yachting champion Sam Meech and freestyle skier Byron Wells.

This year, the Halberg Trust has introduced a Disabled Sportsperson of the Year trophy with the winner eligible for the supreme award, along with male, female and team nominees.

Para-shooter Michael Johnson, blind cyclist Jayne Parsons and blind swimmer Daniel Sharp are all world champions in their classifications, while para-swimmer Sophie Pascoe set two world records at the Pan Pacific championships.

A panel of top athletes, coaches and sports media will decide the Halberg Award winners, and the results announced at the Sky City Grand Hotel on February 9.