Dagg returns for Crusaders at wing
Melbourne. A city heaving with swanky cafes, avant-garde musicians and a problem child the Super Rugby bosses would dearly love to bury.
Look at the Rebels’ record. Nine losses, one win, one draw.
Things look pretty grim for a team that is fighting for its survival as Sanzaar desperately tries to chop and earn some credibility for its embattled competition.
Even with Crusaders coach Scott Robertson making 10 changes to the side that started the 31-24 win over the Chiefs in Suva last weekend, which includes not picking All Blacks Matt Todd and Ryan Crotty who have been concussed in recent weeks, the Rebels won’t have many friends lining-up at the bookie’s door.
Which is why Sanzaar are trying to reduce the format to 15 teams, because if a game isn’t a contest why bother spending coin to a TV broadcaster to watch a rubbish product?
At least there is one thing to get excited about – the return of Israel Dagg. If there is one bloke who will most certainly have adrenaline charging through his veins at AAMI Stadium it is the All Blacks fullback/wing.
The 61-test international, listed on the right wing, will make his first Super Rugby appearance since injuring his right knee against the Reds on March 11 but says he isn’t going to get workedup about whether he will or won’t make the All Blacks’ 33-man squad for the series against the British and Irish Lions.
‘‘I am not even going to worry about that, to be honest,’’ Dagg said. ‘‘It will be a great birthday present if I get there – I turn to 29 on June 6 and am not getting any younger – but I know what I have got to do.
‘‘I have got to be fast, play well and if I can do that … then (selection) it is out of my hands.’’
The All Blacks squad will be named June 8, five days after the Crusaders play the Highlanders next weekend. Dagg could also get extra game time if selected for the Crusaders against the Lions on June 10.
Dagg’s return to the test stage last year, having been omitted from the World Cup squad in 2015, was spectacular. He scored 10 tries, proving his value at wing and fullback.
The reason he was left out of the World Cup group to travel to the UK, said the selectors, was because of a lack of game time caused by injury. Now, once again, Dagg is racing the clock.
Two All Blacks assistant coaches have ensured he hasn’t felt isolated.
‘‘Ian Foster and Wayne Smith have just been telling me to get out there and be decisive,’’ Dagg added. ‘‘I know I just have to get that ball, carry hard, chase the kicks – whatever.’’
Robertson has selected three other All Blacks in his run-on side. Loosehead prop Wyatt Crockett, lock and captain Sam Whitelock and centre Seta Tamanivalu.
Leaving out Crotty and Todd allows them to refresh ahead of the Highlanders game after their recent head knocks.
‘‘Both of them could have potentially played, but we just made an early call that we were given them a chance to freshen-up,’’ Robertson said.
Switching Tamanivalu from wing to centre, he made three test appearances as a replacement midfielder last year, was not at the behest of the All Blacks selectors, Robertson said.
It was more a case of placing a fit body into a hole, with centre Jack Goodhue requiring a break after a busy year.
‘‘We didn’t need the All Blacks selectors to tell us – he tells every other week he wants to play there, and he deserves the opportunity,’’ Robertson stated.