The All Blacks have been recognised once again for their undefeated 2013 Test season, the Rugby World Cup holders nominated for the Laureus World Team of the Year award for the fifth time and the third time in the past four years.
They face tough competition for the award, however, as they are up against UEFA Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup winners Bayern Munich; Brazil's men's football team, who won the Confederations Cup; American twins Bob and Mike Bryan for holding all four Grand Slam tennis doubles titles and the Olympic gold medal; back-to-back NBA champions Miami Heat; and Red Bull, who won their fourth consecutive Formula One Constructors' world championship.
Laureus World Sports Academy member and former All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick said "perfection in sport is nearly always an impossible goal, yet in 2013 the All Blacks came very near to it".
"If there were any doubts about the best team in international rugby heading into the start of the 2013, there was no doubt by the end of the calendar year," he told Fairfax Media in New Zealand.
"The All Blacks did not lose a Test match, though there were one or two nervous moments, particularly Ryan Crotty's last-minute try in the 14th match in Ireland to keep the 100% record. It's the first time any team has won all 14 games in a calendar year since the professional era of international rugby was introduced, and, for an All Blacks team simply laden with talent, that's an honour that befits them up against perfectly.
"For me, as a former All Black, it was the style of their game and their expansive play that was just so wonderful to watch. Regardless of what circumstance they might have found themselves in, they always managed to pull through with sheer brilliance in attack and huge energy in defence.
"The highlight?
"Obviously that impressive 38-27 win over South Africa in Johannesburg was unforgettable. Kieran Read was the IRB Player of the Year, but you could make a case for quite a few of the others."