All Blacks: New fullback almost settled for cricket

New All Black Israel Dagg had a Black Caps career insight before choosing to pursue rugby. Photo / Getty Images

New All Black fullback Israel Dagg thought more about being a Black Cap in his last year at Lindisfarne College.

He won a national fast-bowling competition with the radar clocking him at 143km/h and he played against his age-group Australian counterparts.

He spoke to Australian quick Brett Lee, who encouraged him to pursue a career bowling rather than passing and kicking the leather.

"That was kind of a leaning point to go towards cricket and I was going to, but then Hawkes Bay offered me a contract, I got picked for the Magpies when I was still at school and that turned the tables back to playing rugby again.

"I just stuck at the rugby, went hard at it and made a few teams."

In his provincial debut against Counties Manukau, he remembered Lelia Masaga sidestepping him for a try but Dagg was sure this weekend in New Plymouth would be much more intense.

It was great to get a chance now rather than fret about when he might get chosen, he said.

Benson Stanley offered similar thoughts about his selection to follow his uncle Joe and cousin Jeremy into the All Black midfield.

"To me it has raced by, it has gone really quickly," Stanley said.

"It has been a good thing at the same time the fact that you haven't been able to stop and look around and reflect too much.

"It has just been full noise and transition straight into the team environment, straight into training, so it has been enjoyable and this weekend for me is rapidly approaching."

Growing up, his hero was All Black flanker Michael Jones, who cemented that adulation when he stayed one night and gave young Benson a train set.

Meanwhile, Mils Muliaina and Richard Kahui are expected to play club rugby this weekend, Tom Donnelly the next and Ma'a Nonu is expected to get a clearance from his knee injury to play in three weeks.

Standby backs Rene Ranger and Ben Smith left camp yesterday to join the Barbarians in Whangarei for their Saturday match against NZ Maori.