All Blacks: Dagg finds his feet in unfamiliar jersey

Israel Dagg enjoys fullback because 'you can roam everywhere'. Photo / Getty Images

He is part of the new breed and Israel Dagg still finds himself checking his bearings in the middle of matches.

Dagg is one of the multi-talented men running around in test rugby who prefer fullback but are picked for test duty on the wing.

Cory Jane is another, the Wallabies have James O'Connor while Gio Aplon covers both roles for the Boks.

Fullback remains Dagg's preferred position, but the way is barred by the refreshed Mils Muliaina, with Jane the likely second choice. So being able to cover wing as well is a great selection bonus.

Dagg hopes to get enough fullback time next Super 15 season with his switch to the Crusaders, so he's covering his bases.

"I like fullback because you can roam everywhere," Dagg said. "On the wing you have to cover one area and hold your width on the field. There's a lot of freestyling and freedom at fullback.

"Cory Jane's advice was not to play wing too much because like him, you won't play anywhere else."

Dagg anticipates plenty of pressure from the Wallabies tonight, trying to exploit his positional inexperience on the flank. That was a massive part of test rugby, he said, but the converted winger was ready with his "bring it on" approach.

Dagg's promotion to the starting XV, the multi-dimensional skills needed for the wing, the hovering Rene Ranger and the anticipated return of Sitiveni Sivivatu next month, may put senior wing Joe Rokocoko under more heat for a place on the end-of-year tour.

That's not an issue for dialogue with Dagg, who has relished the help he's got from the 66-test veteran in the build-up to tonight in Sydney.

Rokocoko had been a huge help all year as Dagg played his first games on the wing since school.

He conceded that he would be nervous, but had worked hard all week, picturing every time he took the training paddock that he was playing the test.

Experienced in test rugby, he had practised a great deal for his international assignments. Each test was another building block for his confidence.

"I played quite a few minutes in Tri-Nations, I have been enjoying it and can't wait to get a start.

"Each time is a step up. Everytime I get out there I feel good about the exposure," he said.

There were many common sets off skills shared by wings and fullbacks. But the positional tweaks were the point of difference.

"You've got to stick tight with your centre and keep talking, not rush out of the line," Dagg said. "You just work as a front four and stay working up and back to keep the opposition first five in two minds about what to do," Dagg suggested.

He said he still had to talk himself at times in tests - playing wing did not come as naturally as fullback.

But, he said, it's getting there, and he and good buddy Zac Guildford swapped roles during the ITM Cup to gain more experience.

"The Wallabies do the same, they move their back four around," he said.

For the first time tonight he would be marking O'Connor, another manufactured wing. Dagg said his Wallaby opposite was small but very strong and nimble.