Promising fullback Israel Dagg believes it is a make-or-break season for himself and the Highlanders as they prepare for their Super 14 opener against the Crusaders in Christchurch tonight.
"It's a make-or-break season for me if I want to make the World Cup squad," Dagg (pictured) says.
"There's a lot of competition out there, a lot of up-and-coming players, including Ben Smith and Robbie Robinson from the Highlanders. There's no guarantees for anyone."
Hawke's Bay custodian Dagg, 21, said All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith had talked to him and had given him an encouraging report about his play. However, his diet emerged as an area to address.
"I put on a bit of weight last year and I need to work on my nutrition. You don't just get picked on how you play."
Dagg said it was imperative the Highlanders made a strong start against the South Island heavyweights.
"I'm looking forward to playing against one of my best mates (Hawke's Bay and Crusaders winger Zac Guildford). He's loving it there. I nearly went to the Crusaders myself but then I decided I liked it here.
"The Crusaders have a stacked line-up and it will be a big test for us. But we're in good shape, we've trained well and we've had two good pre-season games.
"It's important for us to have a good start and to soon get into the habit of winning.
"We need to play well and get the fans in the region buzzing. We need to start with a hiss and a roar and get the Highlanders back to where they were."
Dagg, who has played 39 games for Hawke's Bay and 13 for the Highlanders, is refreshed after a holiday break with his partner in Thailand.
"It was good to get a month off from rugby because it had been a long year. I thought it was a pretty good year for me; it was my first season of Super 14 and I played every minute of every game. I made the Junior All Blacks but I know there are always things to work on."
Dagg said these included being more consistent under the high ball and working on his kicking game which, at its best, is one of his strengths.
"I want to get my body into the best possible shape, play as well or even better than I did last year and keep on improving. If I can do that, hopefully I can consolidate on what I achieved last year."NZPA
SUPER 14 RUGBY: Make or break for Dagg
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