The All Blacks and Crusaders have been shortlisted for the Laureus World Sports Awards.
The All Blacks have been nominated for the World Team of the Year Award after their emotional victory in the World Cup in October, while the Crusaders are shortlisted for the World Comeback of the Year after reaching the Super Rugby final despite all the difficulties following the Christchurch Earthquakes.
The Laureus World Sports Awards, which recognise sporting achievement during the calendar year 2011, are the premier honours on the international sporting calendar.
In their category the All Blacks are up against teams like European football champions Barcelona, the NBA champion Dallas Mavericks, the England crciket team and the Red Bull Formula One team.
Some of the other contenders in the Comeback category are the Queensland Reds, who overcame the floods at home to beat the Crusaders in the Super Rugby final, the French footballer Eric Abidal, who beat cancer and golfer Darren Clarke who overcame a slump in form to win the Open Championship.
