Rugby: Dagg keen to make All Blacks statement

Highlanders fullback Israel Dagg has emerged as a contender for the All Blacks squad. Photo / Getty Images

Fullback Israel Dagg has more to play for than most when the Highlanders end their Super 14 campaign with two matches in Australia.

They will play the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday and the Reds in Brisbane seven days later and Dagg wants to finish an excellent individual season in style.

Dagg, 21, who played all 13 games for the Highlanders last year, has played in 11 of the 12 this season and has emerged as a contender for the All Blacks squad.

"I'd love to make a statement in Australia," Dagg said.

"If they picked me (for the All Blacks), I'd be stoked and over the moon but I'm not too worried.

"There are some great players out there, like Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane and Isaia Toeava. They've been there and know what to expect.

"I've just got to wait for my turn and keep going hard. If it comes it comes and, if it doesn't, I'll just keep trying.

"I've got to play well in these last two games and hopefully that will improve my prospects."

Dagg rated his form this season as "not too bad".

"There have been fewer lapses but, as always, there is room for improvement. I'm reasonably happy but there are always things I could do better

"I think I'm better off the field with my eating and keeping my weight down. That's been a big plus and so has staying focused on rugby and not getting side-tracked."

Dagg has also taken over the goalkicking for the Highlanders and scored 92 points.

"That has been another plus. I've just worked harder on it. It didn't go so well against the Waratahs last week but I've enjoyed it and it's just another string I can add to my bow."

Dagg said he and his teammates had been buoyed by the convincing win over the Waratahs in Invercargill and would travel to Canberra with renewed confidence.

"Our forwards stepped up a notch in Invercargill and laid a great platform for the backs. We played for the full 80 minutes and there weren't the lapses of concentration there had been in earlier matches," he said.

"We want to finish off with two more wins. The Brumbies and Reds are both in semis contention and we want to spoil their buzz. We've just got to take the same attitude we had against New South Wales to Canberra and Brisbane."

Dagg acknowledged the Brumbies would be a challenge, particularly with the emotion surrounding the farewells of veteran stars Stirling Mortlock and George Smith.

"They're a good team and they've got some great players," he said.

"There's (Matt) Giteau and (Adam) Ashley-Cooper and they've got some top forwards like Stephen Hoiles and Mark Chisholm. They had that big win against the Reds last weekend so they're going to be tough.

"But I definitely give us a chance. We've just got to have the right attitude, put our heads down, hoe into them and be direct and physical."

- NZPA