Time for ABS to kick on

WITH the first All Blacks test of the year just six days away, fullback Israel Dagg says it’s time to banish all thoughts of last year’s Rugby World Cup success and start a new chapter in the team’s history.

Dagg says there has been no dwelling on that triumph in the two wider training group camps the team has had and that there has been a unified feeling that it’s time to move on.

‘‘You’ve got to park what happened last year, this is a new era,’’ Dagg told Sunday News. ‘‘There are some new coaches and players. What happened in the past has happened and we’ve got to move on to the three-test series against Ireland.

‘‘Ireland are a quality side with good players. It will be a tough three games for the All Blacks and we can’t hold back. Obviously we haven’t lost to them before and no one wants to be in that first team to lose to them. We’ve got to bar up, hold our ground and play well.’’

With Mils Muliaina in Japan, the No 15 jersey should be Dagg’s for the next few years. He was pushing Muliaina close last year anyway and it would have been a tough call for the selectors to make as to who would play fullback in the world cup final had Muliaina not been injured.

But while Dagg will start the year at fullback, he’s not taking it for granted that he’ll keep his position.

‘‘It’s definitely not mine, it’s anyone’s position who plays well,’’ he said. ‘‘There are quality players out there like Ben Smith, while Andre Taylor is playing outstandingly Hurricanes.’’

But someone who doesn’t need to worry about his position is All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, who says he’s fizzing about the upcoming series.

‘‘I’m really excited about it,’’ he said. ‘‘In the camps for the last couple of weeks it’s been quite exciting that we’re getting around to test rugby.

‘‘Test rugby is another step up, another challenge and it’s quite unique with the limited prep time.

‘‘I am really excited about the group we’ve had together for the last couple of weeks. The tests are going to be a good challenge for us, to see how quickly we can get our stuff in order.’’

It has been suggested that if the All Blacks are to lose to Ireland it’s more likely to happen in the first test, because they haven’t always started the year playing at their best and have needed a hit-out to get up to speed.

However, it’s not a theory McCaw is buying into. ‘‘We’re not aiming to lose any tests,’’ he said. ‘‘Although we haven’t got a lot of time, we’ll make the best of it and keep things really simple, not try to get everything sorted at once. We’ll work on the key things and then build on it over the three weeks.’’

Ireland’s plans suffered a double blow last week when two of their world class players, loose forward Stephen Ferris and lock Paul O’Connell, were both ruled out of the trip down south through injuries.

‘‘Traditionally it’s been a good old battle. The northern hemisphere teams enjoy the contact battle, so we’re going to have to make sure we’re ready for that,’’ McCaw said.

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