http://www.allblacks.com/news/15233/All-Blacks-make-2010-Laureus-awards-finalists-list-The All Blacks have been selected for arguably the most prestigous award in world sport, with a nomination in the finalists category of the 2010 Laureus World Sports Awards for 'Team of the Year'.
<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=8 cellPadding=0 width=117 align=right><TBODY><TR><TD height=59 vAlign=top width=117>http://www.facebook.com/AllBlacks</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=bottom>http://twitter.com/nzru</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>New Zealand freestyle motocross rider Levi Sherwood has also been nominated for 'Action Sportsperson of the Year'.
The All Blacks nomination follows a landmark year, winning 13 from 14 tests, claiming the Investec Tri Nations with a clean sweep, and marching through Europe to win their fourth touring Grand Slam.
A ballot was held by the world's media, and the winners will be announced in Abu Dhabi on February 7.
The All Blacks will be pitted against the World Cup Spanish football team, Inter Milan, winners of the Champions League, the ***le winning NBA Champions' the Los Angeles Lakers, the Formula One winning Red Bull team, and the European Ryder Cup golf team.
It is the third time the All Blacks have been nominated for the category.
FINALISTS LIST
Team of the Year
All Blacks (New Zealand) Rugby
European Ryder Cup Team - Golf
Inter Milan (Italy) Soccer
Los Angeles Lakers (US) Basketball
Red Bull Formula One Team (Austria)
Spain World Cup Team - Soccer
Sportsman of the Year
Kobe Bryant (US) Basketball
Andres Iniesta (Spain) Soccer
Lionel Messi (Argentina) Soccer
Rafael Nadal (Spain) Tennis
Manny Pacquiao (Philippines) Boxing
Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Motor Racing
Sportswoman of the Year
Kim Clijsters (Belgium) Tennis
Jessica Ennis (UK) Athletics
Blanka Vlasic (Croatia) Athletics
Lindsey Vonn (US) Alpine Skiing
Serena Williams (US) Tennis
Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) Tennis
Breakthrough of the Year
Martin Kaymer (Germany) Golf
Christophe Lemaitre (France) Athletics
Matteo Manassero (Italy) Golf
Thomas Müller (Germany) Football
Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa) Golf
Teddy Tamgho (France) Athletics
Comeback of the Year
Paula Creamer (US) Golf
Tyson Gay (US) Athletics
Justine Henin (Belgium) Tennis
Carolina Kluft (Sweden) Athletics
Merlene Ottey (Slovenia) Athletics
Valentino Rossi (Italy) Motor Cycling
Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability
Verena Bentele (Germany) Skiing/Biathlon
Matt Cowdrey (Australia) Swimming
Daniel Dias (Brazil) Swimming
Jakub Krako (Slovakia) Alpine Skiing
Esther Vergeer (Netherlands) Wheelchair Tennis
Lauren Woolstencroft (Canada) Alpine Skiing
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Action Sportsperson of the Year
Jamie Bestwick (UK) BMX
Victor Fernandez (Spain) Windsurfing
Stephanie Gilmore (Australia) Surfing
Levi Sherwood (New Zealand) Freestyle Motocross
Kelly Slater (US) Surfing
Shaun White (US) Snowboarding
I hope if the All Blacks don't win (and let's face it, they probably won't) then I hope at least the Lakers lose.
