Tag Archives: israel dagg

Former All Black, Israel Dagg has opened up the mental health struggles that almost forced him out of the game. The 30-year-old former Crusaders player who retired from rugby last week due to a chronic knee injury claims to have entered into a severe mental health battle after missing out on selection for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Speaking to …

All Black Israel Dagg has announced his retirement from rugby due to ongoing injury issues which have forced him to withdraw from the game.  30-year-old Dagg has faced a lengthy period on the sidelines due to an ongoing knee injury and it is based on medical advice that he hang up his boots. Dagg made his debut in 2006 for …

Jordan Larmour’s electric performance against Italy at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday almost broke a long-standing record held by Israel Dagg.  Larmour scored three tries and set up another for Luke McGrath as he bamboozled the Italian defence with his superb footwork and breathtaking acceleration. Those attributes allowed Larmour to make six linebreaks and beat 12 defenders throughout the …

5 questions for All Black coach Steve Hansen to consider as Super Rugby 2018 begins.

Israel Dagg Out Until 2018 Following New Injury Nightmare

The All Blacks have named their team for Saturday’s clash against South Africa in Auckland on Saturday. Coach Steve Hansen has made six changes to the starting XV which beat a much-improved Argentina side 39-22 last weekend in New Plymouth. In the pack, three-times capped Kane Hames is handed his first start in place of the injured Joe Moody, who …

Israel Dagg was sent for groceries during the All Blacks victory over Argentina on Saturday. The All Blacks came through a very tough test against a strong Argentina side on Saturday and for long periods of the game, it looked like a shock defeat was very much on the cards. With just a half an hour remaining, New Zealand were …

Steve Hansen has named an exciting All Black squad to face Argentina on Saturday which sees the return of one of the stars of the 2015 World Cup. Hansen has characterised the game as one of ‘taking opportunities.’ Here are five talking points which might give an insight into what the master coach will be looking for against the Pumas. …

Steve Hansen has named his team for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash against Argentina in New Plymouth. After back to back wins against Australia in the first two rounds of the tournament, the All Blacks coach has made lots of changes to his matchday squad. Tongan-born Hurricanes forward Vaea Fifita is handed his first start at blindside flanker in his second …

The All Black backs showed moments of brilliance against the Lions without ever fully igniting into the form of the previous two seasons. With Ben Smith’s decision to go on sabbatical, and Aaron Cruden’s departure for Europe, All Blacks boss Steve Hansen has a chance to experiment with combinations and positions with an eye on the 2019 World Cup. So, …

Ahead of the Lions series this summer, I wrote an article asking some questions of All Blacks coach Steve Hansen in the lead up to the tour. Let’s see if there have been any answers to these questions as we now look ahead to the Rugby Championship. ________ 5. Who Is The Most Effective Openside Flanker? (Not Answered) Sam Cane started …

Warren Gatland has made some bold and surprising selections in his Lions Test side, opting for more pace at the breakdown and more playmaking in the backs with the selections of Sam Warburton and the Sexton/Farrell partnership. How will Gatland’s selections affect the All Blacks’ tactics? Here’s what to expect. 1. More of the same driving off the rucks and …

After a pulsating first Test in which the All Blacks out-Warrenballed the Lions 30-15, will we see any changes in tactics employed by coaches Warren Gatland and Steve Hansen for the second Test in Wellington? Will Gatland drop his captain, Peter O’Mahony? How will the All Blacks approach the game tactically? Here are the five biggest questions which need answers …

The Lions gave a lot of razzle dazzle but couldn’t stop the All Black wave of physical domination to maintain their imposing winning streak at Eden Park. So which players stood out above the rest? 15 Liam Williams 8 Fairly quiet until scintillating 50 metres break out launched classic Lions counter-attacking try. Fizzing after that and looked a threat every …

Dan Carter certainly has a high opinion of Jordie Barrett. With just over a week to go until the All Blacks face off against the touring British and Irish Lions, hype is hitting fever-pitch in New Zealand. The World Cup champions are expected to account for Warren Gatland’s charges at home, but have the disadvantage of playing just one warm-up …

After the Crusaders got suffocated by the Lions whose strategic play was a mix of roar and snore, could the same thing happen to the All Blacks? We select a test side of 23 players who will be tasked with cracking the Lions defensive code in the Tes series. Here is our All Blacks Test squad – and the threat …

How about those ‘Canes? Steve Hansen is obviously a fan of the lethal Hurricanes backline. No fewer than five players from the Windy City made Hansen’s All Blacks squad which boasts 1164 caps of experience but sprung a few surprises in naming two new players. So what what were the talking points as the All Blacks named his squad for …