The one thing the New Zealand Breakers have learned from their home games is that they don't want to be caught with their pants down in the Tangata Whenua room tonight.

WYNNE GRAY: Dan Carter has been nominated for the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards - but does he deserve it?

GREGOR PAUL: There was rising optimism about the track the Blues were following under coach Tana Umaga and then thoughts of the bad old days have resurfaced.

When it comes to Aaron Cruden you are often left to rub your eyes and wonder how he just did that.

We're all heading into the unknown with the revamped Super Rugby competition and that uncertainty extends to most of the Kiwi sides.

Rugby all but swept the field, Lydia aced one more award and Kane was able to notch yet another honour.

Left arm bowler's omission from an under-performing New Zealand team is just plain weird, writes Dylan Cleaver.

The All Blacks Sevens returned from Sydney after claiming their second straight world series tournament title.

The tourists have found themselves in a lion's den, and they don't have many big rocks to throw at the beast.

F-word chants took the shine off of New Zealand's stunning victory.

COMMENT: Forget the idea of a "gentlemanly" spirit in cricket, Mankad is fair game, writes Chris Rattue.

There is genuine excitement at Blues HQ. There is laughter in the ranks.

Is David Warner growing up? That question might be interpreted as patronising but it is meant sincerely.

"The winter codes are emulating their summer brethren who have poured bastardised versions of the real game into the cricket calendar."

Brian McKechnie and the Chappell brothers, Greg and Trevor, must dread February 1 rolling around, so to speak.

One of the beauties of reporting on cricket is getting to use the Basin Reserve as an office for a few days each year.

Two of the Breakers' favourite sons have been given the keys to the kingdom.

COMMENT: The end of 2015 has helped knock over some sporting misconceptions, writes Chris Rattue.

Dushmantha Chameera turned the contest on its ear in the space of 13 deliveries yesterday. And the key to his success was pace.

A long time ago (Tuesday night this week, quite a long time in a 24-hour news cycle these days) in a galaxy far, far away (Lake Karapiro).

COMMENT: The spat between Tonks and Rowing New Zealand is plain weird, writes Chris Rattue.

Andrew Mulligan puts together his sporting wishlist for 2016 - starting with the hope for a sporting comeuppance for heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

Back the truck up just a second. If you thought the US twice beating the All Blacks sevens side in Dubai was crazy, that result has nothing on some of the reaction to it.

It was predictable the first question asked of New Zealand's Danielle Johnson when she lobbed into Brisbane this week for today's Origin Jockeys series at Doomben was: Have you ever been....