Enough cake, it’s time for All Black Israel Dagg to apply a little icing.
New Zealand coach Steve Hansen won’t criticise out-of-touch fullback Dagg for another toothless attacking performance in the first Test against France but he admits the 25-year-old is missing the “magic bits” of his game.
Of the team who won 23-13 at Eden Park last week, Dagg’s position was under most threat this week.
A muscular cameo off the bench from Rene Ranger, when Dagg was replaced and slippery wing Ben Smith moved back to fullback, prompted calls for that late-game combination to start the second Test in Christchurch on Saturday.
However, Hansen stuck by Dagg in an unchanged starting side, pointing out that the 26-Test veteran’s defensive elements remain without peer.
“I think he’s the best high-ball catcher in world rugby, from a fullback point of view,” Hansen said.
“We’d be stupid to lose that skill component.”
Dagg’s booming punt is also influential but the sizzling breaks that have been a hallmark since his debut three years ago have been almost non-existent this season. He has spent time on the Crusaders’ reserve bench in Super Rugby.
“I think Izzy’s playing as well as he did last year, minus those magic touches,” Hansen said.
“It doesn’t matter who you are, you can’t be magic all the time. What we want from Israel is his core job done well. The magic bits will come.”
Experienced All Blacks second five-eighth Ma’a Nonu said France had clearly analysed the Dagg threat and wasn’t surprised they gave him so little space.
“Izzy’s played well the last couple of years but defences are sorting more players out so you’ve got to get better and better,” he said.
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