"It's awesome to be back with the Magpies boys again. I've got two games and we'll see what happens after that," Dagg said said on the eve of his 45th appearance for the union he first represented at first-class level in 2006.
When quizzed on the work-ons he had been given by the ABs coaches, Dagg said backs coach Ian Foster had given him a few things.
"Basically, he told me to keep it simple and not try to do too much. The main thing is to do the basics well. It would be awesome to hear my name read out in the World Cup squad again.
"I've been to one World Cup and it would be good to tell my kids I played in two ... not that we're expecting any kids in the immediate future," Dagg said, returning to cheeky mode.
An All Black since 2010, Dagg, 27, played for the Magpies when they won the Ranfurly Shield off Counties-Manukau last year. He is impressed with the new talent in this season's squad.
"I remember seeing Jonah Lowe when I visited his family in Te Awanga with his older brother [former Magpie Karl] years ago. Now he's in the team. I also remember watching Mason [fellow Lindisfarne College old boy Emerson] on television in a secondary schools match against Francis Douglas College ... he is doing well too."
Dagg said his body is fine and he's excited about the opportunity to play his first game in almost a month.
"The calf injury I had all year has gone but I don't know about the lungs. We'll see how they are after the game."
Dagg has an extra incentive to make the World Cup squad. His former Crusaders teammate Telusa Veainu, who stayed with Dagg's parents when he played for the Magpies in 2013, has made the Tonga side.
"It would be good for Mum and Dad to come and watch both of us at the tournament."
A former Highlander, Dagg admitted this year's Otago team was "pretty new" to him.
"I watched them play Canterbury last weekend. They've got a young squad and I'm sure they will give us a tough game," he said.
Dagg replaces Guildford at fullback in one of five changes to the starting XV used in last weekend's win against Northland. Guildford replaces Shannan Chase on the left wing, halfback Chris Eaton is unavailable with his groin strain and is replaced by Ellery Wilson, captain Brendon O'Connor replaces injured No8 Gareth Evans and Tom Stanley replaces O'Connor on the openside flank.
Changes to the subs bench see Jorian Tangaere replace injured hooker Ricky Riccitelli, Hurricanes prop Tolu Fahamokioa return from injury to replace Jason Long, lock Sanaila Waga fill the berth vacated by Stanley, Jonathan Ruru replace Wilson and Chase replace Lewis Marshall.
Should Ruru get game time it will be his first-class debut for the Magpies. With three openside flankers in the Magpies' loose-forward trio, expect a fast approach from the visitors under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
No doubt Dagg will be hoping he has the wheels and the lungs to keep up with Guildford, Ryan Tongia and co.
Both teams
•Otago:
Peter Breen, Tony Ensor, Matt Faddes, Teihorangi Walden, Jack Wilson, Fletcher Smith, Kaide Whiting, Mikaele Mafi, Theo Commissaris, Adam Knight, Josh Dickson, Blair Tweed, Hisa Sasagi, Liam Coltman (c), Craig Millar.
Substitutes, forwards: Sam Anderson-Heather, Donald Brighouse, Aki Seiuli, Charlie O'Connell, Nulia Dawai. Backs: Josh Walden, Michael Collins, Gavin Stark.
•Hawke's Bay: Israel Dagg, Ryan Tongia, Richard Buckman, Andrew Horrell, Zac Guildford, Ihaia West, Ellery Wilson, Brendon O'Connor (c), Tom Stanley, Tony Lamborn, Mark Abbott, Michael Allardice, Jarvy Aoake, Ash Dixon, Brendon Edmonds.
Substitutes, forwards: Jorian Tangaere, Tolu Fahamokioa, Mark Braidwood, Sanaila Waqa, Trent Boswell-Wakefield. Backs: Jonathan Ruru, Billy Ropiha, Shannan Chase.
