Rugby: Refreshed Dagg would slot into the wing again

Israel Dagg. Photo / Getty Images

Israel Dagg started the Super 15 season on the wing and would do that again if it meant starting for the All Blacks.

It's unlikely because he was eased into the squad as a backup to Mils Muliaina and then took over as for the World Cup semi and final when the 100-test capped Muliaina was hurt.

But with injuries to Cory Jane and Richard Kahui on the wing, the selectors have to come up with a solution which will be rock solid under a likely kicking barrage from Ireland at Eden Park in this weekend's first test.

The versatile skills of Dagg and Ben Smith look best suited to work in two of the roles with Julian Savea lurking to make his debut on the left wing.

"Yeah if I have to play on the wing I will," Dagg said as he assembled with the All Blacks.

"I was there for the Crusaders at the start because of some theory I should not do too much kicking. I was keen but it did not matter.

"But I really like to play fullback for the All Blacks because there are so many quality players throughout the side."

The 23-year-old Dagg admitted he had a slow start to this season and his form had not always been at a level he wanted.

"You can't play the best all the time and show out. You just have to get out there and do your job well and make sure you are on to that," he said.

"It has been an up and down year but come test season, she is all on."

Dagg went bush after the World Cup, spending as much time as he could fishing, wakeboarding and relaxing after the sapping demands of the triumphant World Cup year.

"It took me a while to get a feel for the game again. I had a big break before I came back into it. The break was great though, just what I needed.

"But then I was ready to go again. It is my job, my passion and I love it.

"It was not hard to get back into rugby."

As he scanned the team room, Dagg noted the men who were pushing to start in black, players like Savea, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Sam Cane, Brodie Retallick and Ben Tameifuna who were all younger.

He was not in that role now but the one being chased by rising talent.

Dagg said the training camps in Auckland and Wellington had given the group a sense of direction and feel for the new coaching group. Now they had to put the theory into practice.