OPINION: What were the lowlights of the New Zealand and world sporting year? Newshub's panel of experts sift through the rubble...
ALL BLACKS
It hurts to say this, but the men in black have to be held accountable here.
Put aside the debacle in Perth, where they were crushed by Australia, and the Rugby Championship stumble against the Springboks, this was a year where the World Cup was the only measure of performance that counted.
The All Blacks had their moments against Ireland and South Africa, but ultimately fell victim to their own bravado. They had no answer for the intensity or tactics of England in that fateful semi-final, where three years of planning fizzled to a forgettable conclusion - their most comprehensive defeat in World Cup history.
And perhaps it wouldn't have made a huge difference to the result, but the decision to start Scott Barrett over Sam Cane in the loose forwards will go down as their biggest selection clanger.
Yes, worse than Leon McDonald at centre in 2003.
Fortunately, they'd won the last two, which diluted the backlash.
But four more years, right?
Stephen Foote, Newshub online sports producer
NZ BREAKERS
Obviously, new owners of the former Aussie NBL champions were desperate to move on from those 'bad old days', you know, when the club not only won titles, but also provided a professional pathway for the national team players and coaches, AND local heroes that Kiwi kids could aspire to emulate.
Just not sure that totally dismantling everything that had worked so well in the past was the way to move forward.
After an unsuccessful 2018/19 season, the club dropped its coach with a year left on his contract and was forced to change the job title to 'director of basketball' for his replacement.
It replaced its Tall Blacks point guard with an American teenager, who suddenly became the team's marquee player, and began wearing a singlet that previously belonged to a club legend and should really be retired at soonest opportunity.
Don't be surprised if RJ Hampton never plays for the Breakers again. If his hip injury is anywhere near as troublesome as the one that plagued teammate Corey Webster for two years, his minders will surely not risk his multi-million-dollar NBA draft prospects to play out a losing season.
Along the way, former general manager Dillon Boucher joined the long list of club stalwarts to pack their bags, along with two of New Zealand's most talented young coaches, Judd Flavell and Michael Fitchett.
Admittedly, injuries have not helped their cause, but recruiting a known troublemaker, who was subsequently arrested, not once, but twice, must go down as a truly naive decision.
Agreeing to release Wesbter for a contract in China was a sure sign their ANBL playoff hopes were pretty much gone this season.
Ironically, their most old-Breakers move may yet prove their most puzzling. With a record of 4-9, 'director of basketball' Dan Shamir had his contract extended another two years and then immediately chalked up loss No.10.
Remember, he was also the man so sure he could bring the best out of Glen Rice Jnr, who had been fired by Shamir's Israeli club for punching a teammate in the face.
Sure, Aussie Andrej Lemanis endured a 20-45 combined record over his first two seasons with the Breakers, before eventually delivering three straight titles. His retention was a heartwarming show of faith and loyalty, ultimately rewarded.
But Shamir's predecessor was fired for winning 'only' 12 games last summer, so he still has some way to go before achieving even that modest benchmark.
Grant Chapman, Newshub online sports editor
ALL BLACKS
In meaningful tests during 2019, New Zealand's record was three wins, two losses and a draw. The draw with South Africa in Wellington was an uninspired performance full of errors and miscommunication.
Two weeks later, Australia smashed them 47-26 in Perth - a game the All Blacks would have lost, regardless of Scott Barrett's red card.
Ten minutes of brilliant rugby accounted for the Springboks in the World Cup opener and followed a few weeks later with their best performance of the year. In the quarter-final, New Zealand demolished an Irish team that was a year past their peak.
The semi-final capitulation against England was the wake-up call All Blacks management and players needed two years ago. Eddie Jones' team out-played, out-coached, out-passioned and, quite frankly, spanked the All Blacks in Yokohama.
They should have been prepared for that onslaught - that squad was good enough to win the tournament, but poor coaching and poor execution under pressure proved their downfall.
Brad Lewis, Fight Club & Cup19 podcast producer
RORY MCILROY MISSING BRITISH OPEN CUT
The week leading up to the 2019 Open Championship was all about McIlroy.
The fairytale scene was set for the Northern Irishman to triumph in his home country at Royal Portrush, where he first played aged 10 and held the course record of 61.
His disastrous shot off the first tee all-but dashed those dreams in an instant.
He missed the cut, but opened the door for Irishman Shane Lowry to claim the famous Claret Jug.
McIlroy will no doubt return to the pinnacle of golf, but 2019 will always feel like a missed opportunity.
James Regan, Newshub sports reporter
ALL BLACKS
They lost to the Wallabies in Perth and drew with South Africa in Wellington to finish third in the Rugby Championship in a year where Steve Hansen and his men were prioritising the World Cup.
That would've been okay, if they weren't totally outclassed in the semi-final against England, finishing third again.
Luke Robinson, Newshub online sports producer
ALL BLACKS' WORLD CUP LOSS
After four years of building for world rugby's pinnacle tournament, the All Blacks were the favourites, but failed to handle a fired-up England in the semi final.
The ABs brains trust got their combinations wrong and underestimated the hunger of an English side desperate for World Cup victory.
Ultimately, it was a campaign that flopped.
Nicky Styris, Newshub sports presenter
