All Blacks: Mum's word good enough for Henry

Israel Dagg looks set to head to South Africa with the All Blacks. Photo / Getty Images

Israel Dagg's form for Napier Pirates on Saturday may see him included in the All Blacks squad heading to South Africa - after getting the nod from Zac Guildford's mum.

Coach Graham Henry said Deb Guildford's report on Dagg's performance during the premier grade club final against Havelock North showed he was ready to be included in the squad to tour South Africa.

"Israel Dagg played well yesterday for his club. He wasn't meant to play that well but I got reports from Zac Guildford's mother, who said he played very well," Henry said.

All Black Zac Guildford said he'd passed on his mother's observations to Henry. "He asked me how [Dagg] went and I said he went really well - I heard it from my mum," he said.

Guildford said his mother had met Henry several times at All Black functions and had no doubt revealed her knowledge of the game.

"She's been following me and my brother playing since we were 5 so she's had no option but to learn everything about the game.

"I'm not so sure she'd be into it if we weren't playing."

Henry said a decision would be made on Dagg after he turned out for the Magpies this weekend.

"He plays next Saturday for Hawke's Bay against Bay of Plenty and if he gets through that then he'll join us in Port Elizabeth.

"We fly out Saturday morning and he'd fly late Saturday night and he'd arrive in Port Elizabeth a few hours after us."