Israel Dagg eyes No15 jersey

MICHAEL BRADLEY/Sunday Star-Times

NO 15: Israel Dagg.

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Israel Dagg has his eyes on a starting spot for the All Blacks at the World Cup.

Dagg has had a tremendous start for the All Blacks, which culminated in a sensational match-winning try against the Springboks in Soweto a fortnight ago.

But rather than bide his time at fullback as the back-up to Mils Muliaina, Dagg wants to push ahead of the veteran Chiefs captain and grab the No 15 jersey.

"I'd love to be starting [at the World Cup]," Dagg told Sunday News.

"I'd love to be playing but at the moment I'm not. Mils is in there and playing some top rugby so I'm just watching the master in action and learning from what he does.

"Mils is playing some great rugby and he's one of the standout players in the team. It's a learning curve for me and I'm just waiting for that opportunity, and when it comes I'll make the most of it."

Despite Dagg being hungry for Muliaina's jersey, there is no animosity between the two players.

Muliaina has had to fend of a number of challengers for his spot in the starting team since making his All Blacks debut against England in Wellington in 2003.

Of all those who have been chasing his jersey, he says Dagg has impressed him the most.

"When you see a player come in for the first time, they're all shy and things like that," he said.

"But how they develop and take things in their stride is really up to them, and I've seen Israel do that the best.

"He really wants to learn but you can learn things then not go out there and express yourself.

"His biggest asset is that he'll go out there and apply those things he's learnt.

"He's definitely a guy who's going to be in this environment for a very long time and he's someone who's keeping me on my toes."

Dagg and Zac Guildford are often seen as a pairing.

They came through the scene at Hawke's Bay at the same time and they'll both be playing for the Crusaders in next year's Super 15. But in the All Blacks their careers have been poles apart.

Guildford was in the team last year, while Dagg missed out.

This season the tables turned, with Dagg in and Guildford playing provincial rugby.

"You want one of your good mates in the team but things don't always turn out like that," Dagg said.

"I'm sure he's working hard on his game to get back in the team for the end-of-year tour.

"He'll be working hard for Hawke's Bay and will want to increase his chances of getting back in here.

"It's the same with me. I've got to prove myself, train well and, if I get the opportunity, play well so I can stay in the team and not just be a one-tour man."

- © Fairfax NZ News