The team they love to hate
Israel Dagg claims players ‘‘absolutely Crusaders.
Former All Blacks fullback Dagg, who started his Super Rugby career with two seasons at the Highlanders but went on to play 89 games for the Crusaders, says ‘‘people have something against’’ the red and blacks, the most dominant team in the history of the championship with 10 titles.
Dagg, these days a TV pundit, revealed the depth of feeling against the Crusaders while offering general thoughts about the Super Rugby Aotearoa competition to the British audience at Sky Sports UK.
‘‘I know playing other teams and talking to players from other teams – I’d have a lot of friends in other teams – they absolutely hate the Crusaders,’’ Dagg said.
‘‘They never say why, but they just hate them with a passion. People have something against opposition hate’’ the them, so they will come out full guns blazing.
‘‘But the Crusaders side to beat.’’
The Crusaders had a bye for the first weekend of the new competition as rugby returned to action in New Zealand.
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The Crusaders open their campaign in Wellington on Sunday afternoon when they play the Hurricanes.
Dagg, a 2011 World Cup winner who played 66 tests for the All Blacks, has no doubts that the Crusaders, who have won the last three full Super Rugby titles under coach Scott Robertson, remain the benchmark.
‘‘They have to be favourites and the team to beat, and not just because I played for them and my heart lies with them,’’ Dagg, who retired in 2019, told Sky Sports
Israel Dagg
UK. ‘‘I think before the lockdown, they know what it takes to win and how to win championship matches – that’s what these games are going to be like.
‘‘They’ve got the squad to do the deeds. They’ve got a back-line which is a Ferrari and a forward pack which is a Rolls Royce – they’ve got it all.’’
The other game in the second round this weekend sees the Chiefs host the Blues in Hamilton on Saturday night.
‘‘I know playing other teams and talking to players from other teams . . . they absolutely hate the Crusaders.’’