Dagg’s recovery timeframe unclear
AUCKLAND: Israel Dagg is set to join the All Blacks’ burgeoning casualty ward, with coach Steve Hansen yesterday confirming the stalwart winger would need time away from the game.
The 29yearold injured his knee for the Crusaders in early March, required an operation, and returned to the field only in late May.
He went on to play all three British and Irish Lions tests, as well as a protagonist’s role in the Crusaders’ Super Rugby triumph, but was rested from the All Blacks’ two Bledisloe Cup tests against Australia.
Characterising his knee niggle as a case of ‘‘old man syndrome’’ last week, Dagg went on to play just under 50 minutes in Saturday’s 3922 win over Argentina.
But the issue appears more serious than Dagg intimated.
Hansen has not selected the 66test ace for this weekend’s clash with South Africa, and said Dagg’s injury prospects were poor.
But the exact timeframe of his recovery remained unclear.
Nehe MilnerSkudder will start in his place, switching from the left wing to the right, while Rieko Ioane will slot into the No 11 jumper.
‘‘We’re getting more and more information on that and it doesn’t look great at this stage. It looks like he’s going to need some time away,’’ Hansen said.
The absence of Dagg, a World Cup winner and bedrock of the All Black back three, creates yet another conundrum for Hansen, whose players are dropping like flies.
With vicecaptain Ben Smith on sabbatical and Jerome Kaino temporarily on the outer, Hansen has also been forced to deal with seasonending injuries to incumbent test props Joe Moody and Owen Franks.
Aaron Cruden and Charlie Faumuina have departed for French club rugby, while winger Julian Savea is in the test wilderness.
Among Smith, Dagg, Moody and Franks, the All Blacks have lost 256 caps of test experience since their second Bledisloe Cup win on August 26.
‘‘We’ve come out the other side [previously] with surprise packages who’ve really done well — I don’t think this will be any different,’’ Hansen said.
‘‘Someone’s misfortune is another guy’s opportunity.
‘‘We’ve got a lot of faith in the systems we have and, whilst some of these guys are very new, they’re surrounded by guys that have been around a long time.’’ — NZN