Being the dominant team throughout a season does not always end well. As the Southern Steel prepares to put its unbeaten record on the line in Wednesday’s final, Jeff Cheshire looks at five teams that got the job done and five that did not.
The chokers
Golden State
Warriors (2016)
They racked up an all-time NBA regular season record of 73 wins and just nine losses. Then in a first-to-four series, they held a 3-1 lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the finals, before collapsing to lose 4-3.
Team New Zealand (2013)
Up 8-1 in a race to nine, a loss seemed inconceivable. But once the comeback began an Oracle victory was almost inevitable, as it won eight consecutive races to defend the America's Cup.
New England
Patriots (2007)
Looked unbeatable all the way to the Super Bowl with 18 consecutive wins. Talk of being the greatest team of all time had already started, before they were upset 17-14 at the final hurdle by the New York Giants.
All Blacks (2007)
A campaign forever linked to the words ''forward pass'', ''rotation''', ''reconditioning'' and ''Wayne Barnes''. Whatever the reason, all that matters is the 20-18 loss in the World Cup quarterfinal to France after two and a-half years of complete dominance.
Southern Steel (2016)
Bad timing? Maybe, but you cannot ignore this one. The team won 11 games, drew two and lost none. Then it was pipped by the six win-seven loss Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic in the New Zealand conference final, being eliminated by the Queensland Firebirds a week later.
The winners
Crusaders (2002)
The only Super Rugby team to date to win all its games. Had a dominant 96-19 win over the Waratahs a week before the semifinals, then beat the Highlanders and Brumbies to claim the title.
Chicago Bulls (1996)
Won a then record 72 of 82 NBA games in Michael Jordan's first full season back from baseball. In the playoffs, they dropped just one game on the way to the finals, then beat the Seattle Supersonics 4-2 to claim the championship.
Queensland Firebirds (2011)
The most dominant season in the now defunct transtasman netball competition. The Firebirds won all 13 round-robin games, then had two big playoff wins, including a 57-44 one over the Northern Mystics in the final.
Miami Dolphins (1972)
This was the only perfect team in NFL history. The Miami Dolphins won all 14 of their regular-season games, before claiming three playoff wins to claim an unbeaten championship, beating the Washington Redskins 14-7 in the Super Bowl.
All Blacks (2015)
After getting the win they so desperately wanted in 2011, the All Blacks entered their title defence having lost just three games between World Cups. Doubts arose after a few rusty pool matches, but it did what it had to and saw off Australia 34-17 in the final to go back to back.
