The All Blacks and Crusaders are short listed for the Laureus World Sports Awards, which are regarded as the premier honours in international sport.
The All Blacks are in the team of the year category. Other nominees include European football champions Barcelona, the Red Bull Formula One Team and the England cricket team.
The Crusaders are shortlisted in the comeback of the year category for reaching the Super Rugby final despite all the difficulties following the Christchurch earthquakes.
Also listed are the Queensland Reds who won the Super Rugby title after the floods there.
Tour de France champion Cadel Evans of Australia is nominated for sportsman of the year award.
Other nominees are Usain Bolt (athletics), Novak Djokovic (tennis), Lionel Messi (soccer), Dirk Nowitzki (basketball) and Sebastian Vettel (Formula One).
The awards will be announced on 6 February.
