They say hope springs eternal. Here are some of mine for 2009.

I hope the All Blacks keep on winning with no substantial awareness of the 2011 World Cup creeping into our psyche or being talked up.

I hope that sooner rather than later, this absurd situation of differing sets of laws at international level is resolved.

I'm one who hopes that substantial progress is made towards allowing our top-echelon players plying their trade overseas being available for the All Blacks.

I hope that when the 2009 Super 14 season commences, the Blues cut out the infighting, the Chiefs realise that winning at the beginning is just important as near the end, the Hurricanes live up to their star-studded line-up, the Crusaders don't bomb without Robbie and the Highlanders shake off their perennial "rejects" status.

I hope that when the Air New Zealand Cup proves again how unwieldy and convoluted it is, the NZRFU has the balls to sort it out once and for all.

I hope that referees begin to simply facilitate the game, not dominate it.

I hope we're not asked to ever take again seriously, such silly 100 point-odd victories as that annihilation at New Plymouth against Samoa.

I hope that Andy Moles lets performance do his talking and not resort to the gobbledygook of his predecessor.

I hope that Moles begins to bring respect to our test cricket that has been embarrassing for far too long.

I hope the prima-donna element and lack of application that have crept into the performances of some of our most naturally talented players since they've been earning the massive dollars on offer in India, is a brief phenomenon.

I hope that an express young bowler emerges a la the genuine pace of Shane Bond and from similar obscurity.

I fervently hope that the pride, patience and professionalism that the maestro Wayne Bennett and Stephen Kearney instilled into our Kiwis squad have rubbed off for the foreseeable future.

I hope Stacey Jones' return to the Warriors delivers further X-factor to a franchise that appears to be hitting its straps in so many aspects.

I hope New Zealand with a population similar in size to that of New South Wales, continues to bring us all the glory and self-respect it regularly has throughout our sporting history.

And finally, I hope that the ex-sportsmen and women, who now have a considerable presence in our sports media, cease to bag it when it suits them. Once entrenched in the media glasshouse, they should stop throwing stones.

I'd appreciate you adding some of your hopes or take issue with mine.