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Sport Nation
📻 IMPORTANT AUCKLAND UPDATE 📻
Year in Review: Bold sporting prediction for 2026
Sport Nation •  January 1st, 2026 7:00 am
Chris Wood | Photo: Photosport
With a blockbuster 12 months of sports in the rear-view mirror, the Sport Nation cast their eyes ahead and put it on the line with their 2026 predictions.
Sam Ackerman, Scotty & Izzy producer: Richie Mo'unga steers All Blacks to victory in South Africa
The Scott Robertson tide turns when the All Blacks win two Tests on South African soil – and Richie Mo’unga is there thanks to a newly found loophole.
Bonus call - Ryan Fox finishes top three in a Major.
Robbie McFarlane, Scotty & Izzy producer: Warriors stars stay healthy for deep NRL finals run
My bold prediction for 2026 is a simple one on paper, but massive in impact - Both Luke Metcalf and Mitch Barnett get through the NRL season unscathed. Both were cruelly cut down by major knee injuries in 2025, and their absence was felt immediately by the Warriors, particularly through the middle stretch and back end of the season.
The bolder part of the prediction is what happens when they return. I’m backing both Metcalf and Barnett to hit the ground running in 2026, staying on the park and having immediate impact.
With those two fit and firing, the Warriors suddenly look like a side capable of a genuine, deep playoff run in 2026, turning a season of frustration into one of real belief.
Re-live the final moments of the Wahs win over the Dragons | Warriors Live on Sport Nation
Jacob Scott, Afternoons producer: Blackcaps win T20 World Cup & Test series in Australia
The Blackcaps will have another 'all-time' year and will go from being perennial bridesmaids in ICC white-ball tournaments to fully-fledged brides, lifting the ODI World Cup in South Africa.
Touring the UK for four Test matches, they'll come away with a win over Ireland, and a 2-1 series win against England. Then, getting results in Australia next summer. I'm full of hope for 2026, when it comes to our Men's national cricket side.
Alex Chapman, Mornings co-host: Blackcaps draw Test series in Australia
The Blackcaps will either draw or win the Test series across the ditch.
This is very much with the caveat that all the fast bowlers are available.
But if they are, the pace and bounce of the likes of Will O’Rourke (Cornwall), height and swing of Jacob Duffy, and skill and seniority of Matt Henry, could set up New Zealand for success.
Michael Rae on sharing his Blackcaps debut with his family | Scotty & Izzy
Riccardo Ball, Mornings co-host: Peter Burling to lift the Americas Cup with Luna Rossa
This iteration of the Americas Cup will pit three-time winning Skipper Peter Burling against his old Team NZ and mentor Grant Dalton.
There are shades of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick at the Patriots here - Did Dalton enable Burling to get where he is or was it the talent of the skipper that allowed Dalton to cement his teams domination of the Cup?
Photo: Georgia Schofield/Photosport
Henry Lee, Millsy & Guy producer: All Whites advance and win knockout game at FIFA World Cup
The All Whites make it out of their group, win the round-of-32 knockout game, and then get knocked out on penalties in the round of 16. Wouldn't that be hectic.
But in all seriousness, it's a relatively kind group, and if the All Whites have all of their best players available, they have a genuine shot at this prediction.
Also, Hoskins Sotutu to make the shift to England after the Blues season and play against the All Blacks at Twickenham.
Riccardo's reaction to All Whites being drawn into Group G for 2026 FIFA World Cup | Studs Up! Podcast
Logan Swinkels, digital lead: Isack Hadjar ends 'the curse' of Red Bull’s second seat
My 2025 bold prediction might’ve come through if McLaren hadn't screwed up their strategy and robbed Oscar Piastri, but we move on…
Liam Lawson's teammate for the majority of the 2025 season was Isack Hadjar, who quickly become a fan favourite and earned the call up to the second Red Bull seat alongside former world champion Max Verstappen.
Ricciardo, Gasly, Albon, Perez, Lawson and Tsunoda - many say that second seat is cursed and haunted by those names - but I believe the gutsy Frenchman has what it takes to brush it off. The 21-year-old can learn plenty from Verstappen too.
I see him doing better than his solo podium performance last season - put him down for five and helping Red Bull fight for the Constructors' Championship.
Isack Hadjar testing for Red Bull at Yas Marina Circuit on December 9 | Photo: Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool
Mark Stafford, Afternoons host: Hurricanes win Super Rugby title
That's it.
