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Dagg a star in the making

Rising star Israel Dagg was supposed to move to fullback when taking the field as a replacement in Saturday's Tri Nations win over South Africa at Wellington's Westpac Stadium, but he ended up on the wing.

Monday, 19 July 2010

Sportal.co.nz

Rising star Israel Dagg was supposed to move to fullback when taking the field as a replacement in Saturday's Tri Nations win over South Africa at Wellington's Westpac Stadium, but he ended up on the wing.

It was the first time he has played the position and marked it with one of the more remarkable debut tries for the All Blacks.

He broke the attempted tackles of South African No.8 Pierre Spies and flanker Schalk Burger and then powered past fullback Zane Kirchner to complete the All Blacks' bonus points haul from the game.

"It was my second touch, I touched a high ball then Jimmy [Cowan] gave me the ball and I saw a little hole and tried to get through it. I pulled a little dummy and got through.

"It's pretty blank to be honest. I got through and saw the white line, I was pretty shocked as you can see from the video replay," Dagg said.

Dagg said he was only told to move to the wing as he ran onto the field. He had done no preparation in the position in training.

It was something of a career-high for him, a fact made all the better by achieving the feat against South Africa.

"Hopefully there's plenty more to come. I've just got to keep grounded and keep my feet on the ground and just go from here," he said.

Dagg said he was enjoying his experiences with the side and was learning plenty.

"I just come in each week and try hard, and train to win. Milsy's [Mils Muliaina] is one of the best fullbacks in the world so I have just got to learn from him and soak up everything he tells me. He's good, I'm learning lots and enjoying it," he said.

While it was the case in some teams that incumbent players in the same position didn't talk to newcomers, that wasn't the case with Muliaina and he was always offering advice to him.

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