Mathew Sinclair feels like a bloke who has fallen off the back of an ocean liner and been thrown a lifebelt, writes David Leggat in The New Zealand Herald.

Those who reckon he doesn't warrant another contract point to the substantial troughs; those in his camp cling to the notion that having achieved the big numbers before he can do so again.He's aware of his reputation _ too many lows over a long period of time _ and although it may be too late to make full amends, an older, wiser Sinclair can at least partially put things right in the coming year.