Newshub Roundtable: Biggest sporting revelations of 2018

  • 29/12/2018

Incredible sporting talents - both local and international - announced themselves to the world this year.

The test now - can they back it up in 2019? 

The Newshub panel of experts ponder some of those exciting newcomers.

Brad Lewis (Newshub online sports producer): Israel Adesanya

 

'The Last Stylebender' isn't new to combat sports, having fought almost 50 professional fights across kickboxing, MMA and boxing.

But the City Kickboxing star's rapid rise to fame inside the UFC is almost unprecedented. Only Brock Lesnar, Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey have ascended to the top of their divisions quicker than Adesanya.

A February win over Anderson Silva would propel the Kiwi resident to a middleweight title fight later in 2019 in only his sixth UFC fight.

Israel Adesanya delivers a punch
Israel Adesanya delivers a punch on Derek Brunson. Photo credit: Getty

After that - well, the sky is the limit for the charismatic 29-year-old.

Henry Rounce (Newshub sports reporter): Dalton Papalii

 

At the start of the year, he was a Blues bench player - now, Papalii has two All Blacks caps and is touted as the next great number seven.

The 21-year-old was also influential in guiding Auckland towards their first Mitre 10 Cup final.

Dalton Papalii in action for the Blues
Dalton Papalii in action for the Blues. Photo credit: Photosport

Papalii is a part of the future generation, with plenty of opportunities opening up after the Rugby World Cup.

Sullivan Hartnett (Newshub sports reporter): Kylian Mbappe

 

An outstanding year with Monaco, before a move to French giants PSG has seen the teenager explode onto the world stage.

The 19-year-old helped France to World Cup victory, joining Pele as just the second teenager to score in a World Cup Final.

Kylian Mbappe starring for France
Kylian Mbappe starring for France at the World Cup. Photo credit: Reuters.

A breakout year for a young superstar on the rise.

Michael O'Keeffe (Newshub sports reporter): Anna Leat

 

She's been earmarked as one of New Zealand football's most exciting emerging talents and she delivered on that hype at the FIFA Under 17 World Cup.

Anna Leat at Football Ferns training
Anna Leat at Football Ferns training. Photo credit: Photosport

She's a shoo-in for the Football Ferns at the FIFA World Cup in France next year.

John McNeil (Newshub sports reporter): Karl Tu'inukuafe

 

The 25-year old security guard and bouncer had no Super Rugby contract at the start of the season, but answered an injury call for the Chiefs in Round Five - and never looked back. 

Such was the impression he made, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, who'd never heard of him until that point, picked him for the June tests against France.

Karl Tu'inukuafe on the charge for the All Blacks
Karl Tu'inukuafe on the charge for the All Blacks. Photo credit: Photosport

The destructive scrummager then went on to feature in all 13 tests played through 2018.

Tu'inukafe's looking forward to returning to his North Harbour base in 2019 and has signed a three-year deal to play his Super Rugby with the Blues.

Newshub.