Israel Dagg has big shoes to fill

Reuters

WINGING IT: Israel Dagg is rapt to be starting in a big Tri-Nations test and he has no qualms about slotting in on the wing.

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Cory Jane has been giving Israel Dagg a bit of stick this week. Just the usual repartee between a couple of fullbacks who have wandered their way on to the All Black wing.

Dagg was on Thursday named for his first start for the All Blacks on the wing, though he's made some fairly dazzling cameos there already during the Tri-Nations campaign. He replaces Joe Rokocoko in one of five changes to the New Zealand side for Saturday night's clash against the Wallabies at ANZ Stadium.

The selection creates what could be a first for the All Blacks - a back three comprising three specialist fullbacks. It says a lot about the trend of the modern game and the requirements of wings these days.

The 22-year-old Hawke's Bay and soon-to-be Crusaders star had played exclusively at fullback in his senior rugby career before this year. But he's following a path that's fairly well-worn.

Jane was likewise a specialist fullback until Graham Henry got hold of him in the All Blacks and turned the multi-dimensional skill merchant into one of the most effective wingers in test rugby.

Who knows? Maybe Henry can conjure similar magic out of Dagg who certainly possesses the same sort of attacking package as the Wellington wonder.

Dagg in Sydney today said he was just rapt to "finally" be starting a big Tri-Nations test and that he had no qualms about slotting in on the wing.

"It's pretty exciting, I'm filling some big shoes in Joe Roks with 60-odd tests, and it's a big occasion for me," he said with that cool confidence of youth. "I'm just excited to finally get the nod in the Tri-Nations to get out there and have a run-round."

But Dagg admitted that having seen Jane make such a great fist of the transition gave him all sorts of confidence, even if the chippy right wing has not been able to resist reminding the youngster of his new status.

"He's a great player, and has been playing very well for the All Blacks at wing," said Dagg of his wing colleague. "He's been giving me a bit of stick saying don't play wing too much or you'll be stuck there like me.

"But I'm just excited to get an opportunity to go out and do something right for the team."

You get the impression that Dagg, who has scored two dazzling tries against the Boks already this season, is none too fazed by the prospect ahead of him. But he's certainly pumped about what he acknowledges as the biggest moment of his career.

"I grew up watching the All Blacks playing the Wallabies, and seeing how brutal and intense it was. This is definitely another level, this is where you want to test yourself."

Christian Cullen and Jonah Lomu were Dagg's heroes as a youngster and he recalls running round his backyard trying to emulate their moves. He also admitted to some admiration for Messrs Gregan and Larkham in the opposition.

It's not lost on him either the irony that he's been selected as a wing for this test, while his best mate Zac Guioldford, a specialist in the position, remains back in New Zealand unwanted.

"Zac texted me early this morning and said 'congrats'. I kinda feel bad, but I guess that's rugby. He's a great player and Hosea [Gear] is a great player, and I'm sure they'll get their opportunity to be in the All Blacks and play on the wing."

Dagg did fess up to one aspect of his recent heroics. After dashing up to take 'shoeless' Ma'a Nonu's pass for the match-winner in Soweto, he danced precariously with the end-line before dotting down for the 29-22 victory.

It did not pass the coach's attention, nor that of some senior players.

"Yeah, I got a bit of stick for that," he said with a grin. "I didn't really know I was doing it. Mils said don't celebrate before you get a try, and I was thinking 'what's he on about?' Then I checked the replay and I was about this far from the dead-ball line.

"I won't do that again. I guess if I had gone dead I would probably have jumped off a 20-storey building."

Flanker Victor Vito, meanwhile, was equally pumped to get his chance on the blindside flank, like Dagg acknowledging the responsibility that went with replacing such a senior figure -- in his case Jerome Kaino.

"Those guys have been playing well all season, we've been winning all our games so far, and now we've been chucked in it's up to us to keep things going," said the 23-year-old Wellingtonian, one of three rookies promoted to the starting lineup.

He said the focus for the test would be very much about bringing the same energy he had as a bench player on to the field from the outset. "And keeping that physicality side of things up because it's been the trademark of our loose trio," he added.

Vito also confirmed he was hoping to get a chance with ball in hand after possibly concentrating too fully on the tight work during his five test appearances thus far.

"I'll be looking to do the nitty-gritty but will also be looking for opportunities to express myself if they present... if it does open up it will be interesting to see how it pans out."

- © Fairfax NZ News