Rugby World Cup sensation Israel Dagg played down suggestions he has overtaken Mils Muliaina as the All Blacks’ top fullback despite a try-scoring, man-of-the-match outing against France which delighted his coach.
Dagg linked with Dan Carter for the hosts’ third try and stepped past the French defence to secure the bonus-point fourth score in New Zealand’s 37-17 win, making it four tries in two World Cup outings.
The nine-Test rookie appeared to have cemented a starting spot ahead of the veteran Muliaina, who has 98 All Blacks appearances – and looked on as captain Richie McCaw was feted for reaching a record 100 caps for New Zealand on Saturday.
But Dagg, 23, denied he was coach Graham Henry’s automatic choice and backed “legend” Muliaina to achieve the Test century milestone.
“I felt a wee bit of pressure, definitely. There’s always that little bit of tension but I just had to go out there and play well,” he said.
“Of course I want to see him get his 100. He’s a big part of the All Blacks and he’s a bit of legend in the game. I wouldn’t say I’m number one.”
Henry admitted he had wrestled with the decision to leave out the faithful Muliaina, 31, but he was in no doubt about the impact of the “dynamic” Dagg.
“He is the form fullback. He was dynamic most of the night and he scored a couple of great tries, too,” Henry said.
Centre Conrad Smith also won praise from Henry alongside the game-breaking Ma’a Nonu, while Piri Weepu excelled at scrumhalf.
New Zealand media were delighted with the win, which seemingly eased memories of past World Cup upsets against France including their shock quarter-final defeat four years ago.
The Otago Daily Times called it “payback” and the New Zealand Herald said it was: “All Blacks revenge dished up cold”.
“Having had four years to stew over things, the All Blacks exacted a clinical and soul cleansing revenge at Eden Park last night in their crucial Rugby World Cup clash,” the Herald said.
“France were poked in the eye, jabbed with a stick then clubbed viciously with an array of weaponry they had no means to defend themselves against.”
The All Blacks’ injury problems have lightened with three of the four walking wounded from their comfortable win over France likely to be available for their last group match.
Dagg, wingers Cory Jane and Richard Kahui, and loose forward Adam Thomson were all injured on saturday night.
However only Kahui has been ruled out for the Pool A fixture against Canada in Wellington next weekend because of a tight hamstring.
Replacement scrum-half Andy Ellis warned that New Zealand would lift their intensity again next week against Canada, as they aim to finish Pool A with four wins and head into a likely quarter-final against Argentina.
“Step up each time. That’s what we did tonight. We are going to lift up again for next week,” Ellis said.
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