It’s all fun again for Dagg after ‘hating it’ last year
It’s all about the attitude for comeback fullback Israel Dagg as he looks to continue his dramatic career revival in the upcoming Rugby Championship.
This time a year ago Dagg found his form and enjoyment waning, and he soon paid for it when he was left out of the All Blacks squad heading to make World Cup history in England. He admits he felt like his international career was over and that he’d never again slip on that famous black No 15 jersey.
‘‘You definitely start to doubt yourself. It’s hard to get back into this team, because there are so many great players,’’ Dagg reflected after the two-day preparation camp with the All Blacks in Auckland.
But what he did through his long off-season, extended by a serious shoulder injury playing provincial rugby for Hawke’s Bay, was take stock − of himself, his game and his motivations.
‘‘Last year I probably felt I was a lot more intense, and worried about the wrong sort of things − what other people were doing − instead of just worrying about myself and getting my game right.
‘‘I’m really enjoying it now. Enjoyment is a big key. It’s about having fun and doing something that you love and not turning it into a grind. It was a grind last year and I hated it. This year I want to keep coming in here and learning and getting better.’’
Dagg came into 2016 with a pretty simple mindset centred first and foremost on performing for the Crusaders. The rest, he figured, would take care of itself.
‘‘Coming back from shoulder surgery I had to wait till April, but I had a good pre-season, was fit, and just wanted to go out there, not worry about it too much and just play.’’
The results have been dramatic for the 51-test 28-year-old. He was deservedly recalled for the June series against Wales and played so well in a rejigged back three for the last two tests that he’s an excellent chance to retain his spot for the Rugby Championship opener against the Wallabies in Sydney on August 20.
Helping his cause has been the form issues of Julian Savea, and the adaptability of Ben Smith who has shown he’s equally at home on the right wing as he is at fullback.
Dagg hopes he has shown how effective he can be alongside Smith, and that they get further chances to work off each other.
‘‘He reads the game so well and you can give the ball to him and you know he’s going to create something. It’s just covering each other’s butts. As fullbacks you do a lot of running, and he’s good at covering the blindside if I have to go across.
‘‘I’ve got a lot of respect for Bender. He’s a hell of a player and it’s great there is room for both of us at the moment. But there’s plenty of competition. Damian [McKenzie] was very unlucky to miss the squad, Jules is doing what he’s doing, and Waisake [Naholo] is there as well. There are a lot of options.’’
Dagg is just pleased to be one of them.