Shane Hurndell
A full driver's licence is the priority for Israel Dagg, the bolter in the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby squad named in Napier last night.
"The older blokes have been good picking me up for trainings but I don't want to rely on them," he said.
" I got my restricted licence
a couple of weeks back ... now I've got to take the next step," Dagg, 18, said after the 30-strong Kelt Capital Magpies Air New Zealand Cup premier division squad was announced at a function attended by 350 guests in Napier's Centennial Hall.
The Lindisfarne College year 13 student is the first secondary school player to be selected for the Magpies since his teammate, former All Black halfback Danny Lee, first played for the Bay in 1994.
"I was shocked when I learnt of my selection but at the same time it was an awesome feeling. It was pretty hard to focus when I was playing for my school against Scots College of Wellington yesterday," said fullback Dagg who still managed to score 17 points in the inter-school fixture on Wednesday, which his side won 30-5.
A former Central Districts under-17 cricket rep, Dagg, said last night's selection signalled the end of any more "serious cricket" for him.
"It's time to put my head down and work hard with the Magpies.
"I've got to keep my head on my shoulders and make the most of whatever game time comes my way," said Dagg, who hopes to gain New Zealand Secondary Schools selection later in the year.
