Israel Dagg ruled out for three months.

[Darwin]

Israel Dagg is still hanging on to his dream to play for the All Blacks at the World Cup despite being sidelined for the next three months.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10726175

Big loss for the Crusaders, as he has been one of their main attacking weapons this year.

This will certainly affect Dagg's chance of making it into the AB's RWC squad, as he won't be in the initial Tri-nations squad, and is probably unlikely to be brought into the team half way through the tournament (even if he is back to full fitness). If he is to force his way back into the AB's squad he is going to have to show some outstanding form for Hawkes' Bay in the ITM Cup when he gets back.

 

[Shaggy]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10726175

Big loss for the Crusaders, as he has been one of their main attacking weapons this year.

This will certainly affect Dagg's chance of making it into the AB's RWC squad, as he won't be in the initial Tri-nations squad, and is probably unlikely to be brought into the team half way through the tournament (even if he is back to full fitness). If he is to force his way back into the AB's squad he is going to have to show some outstanding form for Hawkes' Bay in the ITM Cup when he gets back.

Yeah, not good news for Issy but I guess as one door closes for one person, another opens for someone else

... I was reading today that apparently Graham Henry had a list of 45 potential All Blacks and that 30 were injured - probably a slight exaggeration, but a guess hell be hoping the current injuries heal correctly, and that the players can play themselves into form in time, and that there aren't too many more injuries

 

[Larksea]

yeah huge Loss, dagg's cameo effots off the bench last year were pretty awesome. Two totally Epic trys. One being match winner on the stroke of Full time to win maybe the biggest/most important game of the year - the other was one of the best individuel all black trys of the year.

I cant honestly imagine how Dagg can win a world cup spot now. One or two games of ITM cup wont be enough unless there are other major injuries that force the selectors to consider Dagg. Obviously if Mills, Ben Smith or Toeava is injured out of the world cup that's another story.

Guess it does settle the Toeava vs. Ben Smith Argument. With Dagg out you would have to pick both these guys.

 

[Darwin]

yeah huge Loss, dagg's cameo effots off the bench last year were pretty awesome. Two totally Epic trys. One being match winner on the stroke of Full time to win maybe the biggest/most important game of the year - the other was one of the best individuel all black trys of the year.

I cant honestly imagine how Dagg can win a world cup spot now. One or two games of ITM cup wont be enough unless there are other major injuries that force the selectors to consider Dagg. Obviously if Mills, Ben Smith or Toeava is injured out of the world cup that's another story.

Guess it does settle the Toeava vs. Ben Smith Argument. With Dagg out you would have to pick both these guys.

Personally I would pick both Toeava and Smith whether Dagg is out or not

 

[Amobokoboko]

Really sad idd, but most of the guys will be back before July.

 

[TRF_RC]

We were talking about this in work today when we heard it on the news, i'm thinking this is World Cup over for Dagg personally.
To be out for 3 months, he needs some good game time when he's back so not only can he get match fit, but also to run off that rust he'll have built up from sitting in the gym 5 times a week and not playing any rugby with any form of contact.
By the time he's back on form I think Graham Henry will have had to have made his choice for which 30 are going to the RWC and Dagg will have missed out because time ran out.
Poor bugger, i say.

 

[Darwin]

We were talking about this in work today when we heard it on the news, i'm thinking this is World Cup over for Dagg personally.
To be out for 3 months, he needs some good game time when he's back so not only can he get match fit, but also to run off that rust he'll have built up from sitting in the gym 5 times a week and not playing any rugby with any form of contact.
By the time he's back on form I think Graham Henry will have had to have made his choice for which 30 are going to the RWC and Dagg will have missed out because time ran out.
Poor bugger, i say.

I tend to agree. The only thing that Dagg has going for him is that Henry and co. have in the past shown faith in players that they rate. For example Toeava was picked to go on last years end-of-year tour with only 100-odd mins of rugby after not playing for 3-4 months, and Sivivatu was picked despite not playing at all for 4-5 months due to injury. If the selectors rate Dagg highly they may be prepared to take a punt on him (unfortunately I don't think they would rate him that highly though, as he is far from a certainty to make the 30-man squad, even if he was fully fit....).

 

[dan the man]

Pretty sad for Dagg... But there is an abundance of other players capable of playing Fullback at International level. Muliaina, Smith, Toeava, Jane

 

[Amobokoboko]

True, plenty of other quality players.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Jane'll be happy with all these outside backs collapsing...

 

[woodward]

So much hype about Smith, I've missed quite a few Highlanders games but I didn't think hes THAT amazing

 

[Darwin]

So much hype about Smith, I've missed quite a few Highlanders games but I didn't think hes THAT amazing

I'd suggest that you watch some more Highlanders games. Over the last few weeks he's been in phenomenal form: brilliant under the high ball, breaking tackles, getting good distance on his punts, rock solid in defense, and completely mistake free. Last weekend against the Canes he was standing at first-five on defense and managed to completely neutralize Ma'a Nonu. As good as Toeava was in the early season, there is no doubt in my mind that Ben Smith has been the best fullback on display all Super 14 (and I really rate Toeava as well). The way he is playing I would be very surprised if he isn't in the AB's this year.

 

[Sneaki]

Jane'll be happy with all these outside backs collapsing...

That's pretty much the first thing I though of when I found out about this. It's a shame for Dagg. But hopefully Jane can show some form in the last few rounds for the Canes, otherwise he could easily miss out (I think he'll be back next weekend after the bye).

 

[Larksea]

I bet Jane comes back from injury very well, physically he looks very good and he will have been doing a lot of trainging despite the injury.

Ben Smith is in the kind of form that demands selection. One loser in the whole scenario could be Hosea Gear. His form is a bit up and down and he's not overly impressive on defense - I really can't recall him ever coming up with a big play on defense - scramble in a tough situation and save a try. His ability on attack is un questionable. But I really dont think there is room in the AB's squad for any players that are not totally sure on defense.

 

[woodward]

Gear came up with a big play on defense a few weeks back against the Blues

 

[douggie7]

The All Blacks have incredible depth in the Backs. They will be so ridiculously difficult to beat at home during the World Cup.

 

[smartcooky]

Dagg's chance at an AB RWC spot is over. As I type this, there are 106 days to the opening match (All Blacks v Tonga) . Three months is 90 days.

It ain't gonna happen.

 

[Please-Buy-Baywatch]

Was pushing for an All Black spot