Selection Stories is a brand new series brought to you by allblacks.com, where former and current All Blacks share the story of how they became an All Black for the very first time. First up is Israel Dagg, All Black #1101.
Couldn’t believe it when he was forced to retire. In his prime he was comparable to Cully. One of the most silky smooth backs I’ve ever seen. Absolute legend that doesn’t get talked about as much as he deserves.
Was very good , when he finished, Ben smith was also very good , but what I thought we missed most , was that massive kick in general play , that part gets overlooked as well , what a long kick he had on him .
Something was different about the team when he came in, felt like it was on and we had the team we needed for the WC. Also appreciate that he was the only pundit to give an honest assessment of the teams performance last year.
I remember being a boy who really knew little about rugby despite having played it and it being such a big part of NZ culture, but when I saw Israel Dagg play in the 2011 world cup I thought "that's my favourite All Black". Anytime the boys were playing I'd get ecstatic when Dagg had the ball, he'll always be near the top of the pile for me.
..This makes you imagine that feeling of making 'The Team' feeling that your lacking and in front of your heros to boot.. then being made to feel you are every part of the Team. Then game day... you play your socks off, you play well.. then your teammates say you played amazingly.. then you feel like you really made it.. What a great game this is.. a thug's game..played by real gentlemen. What's not to love!
Next you should ask them what teams they were in growing up like we’re they always in the top teams or did they start in bad teams and work up it would be interesting to see where they started
