Dagg is The Apprentice
Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:33
Game-breaker: New Kiwi star Israel Dagg. (c) Gallo
The All Blacks are spoilt with an abundance of talent at fullback that would make most opposition green with envy - as any one of Mils Muliaina, Israel Dagg or Cory Jane are world-beaters on their day.
Despite this stiff competition, rookie sensation Dagg is learning all he can from the master of the black No.15 jersey, Muliaina.
And Dagg, in his first year of Test rugby, believes that competition for the fullback berth will force the best out of both the master (Muliaina) and his apprentice (Dagg).
This season is the first time for many years that there has been any real pressure on the 85-times capped Muliaina for his place in the All Blacks team, thanks to the outstanding form of Dagg.
The sudden competition from the youngster has definitely brought the best out of Muliaina, who answered the challenge in some style with two scintillating displays against the world champion Springboks.
Despite his lack of game-time during the Super 14, Dagg had no doubt that Muliaina would show his class and was full of praise for the veteran All Black who turns 30 on Saturday.
"Good on old Milsy," Dagg told stuff.co.nz.
"He has been around for a while with 80-odd Tests and you can't take that away from him - he's one of the veterans and a world-class player.
"He's a true champion and I always knew he would bounce back. But it's always good to have a bit of competition in the team and it brings the best out in you.
"I'm pretty close to him," added the Highlandes No.15. "He has taught me a lot since I have been here so I'm just learning from the master himself."
The All Blacks' attacking style of play suits Dagg down to the ground and it might not be long before he finds himself on the wing in a move to accommodate both backline stars.
Dagg and Muliaina were deadly while working in tandem in the second Test against the Boks, with both scoring excellent - and crucial - tries to bury the Men in Green & Gold.
"Wow, he put the jet-burners on," said Dagg when asked about Muliaina's first-half try, whilst humbly describing his own solo effort - later in the match when he came on as a replacement - as "flukey".
After cutting through the Springbok defence, the only man able to tackle Dagg was his captain Richie McCaw during the celebrations.
"I just remember getting up and getting smashed back on my backside. I got up again and didn't really know what to do. Richie said he was a bit pumped and said sorry after the game," Dagg chuckled.
"It was one of my career-highs. I've watched it a few times but I'm trying to move on now.
"It's very exciting to be an outside back because we are looking to run it a lot more. South Africa like to kick it and we defused their strategies so to get the ball and run it from anywhere is very exciting rugby - that's the rugby you like to play with the ball in hand."
The 22-year-old is happy to learn the ropes on the wing and move into fullback when a changing of the guard is called for.
"I haven't played wing that much. I'm slowly learning and I'm getting help from Joe [Rokocoko] and Cory [Jane]. It's pretty similar to being a fullback so it's not that hard to switch over," he revealed.
Contact Us | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Advertising
