It was always going to be easy to lure Hawke's Bay All Black Israel Dagg away from the Highlanders to the Crusaders Super XV side.
The chance to play Super Rugby alongside his good mate and fellow Magpie, Zac Guildford, as well as more of his All Black teammates in the build-up to the Rugby World Cup was too good to turn down. And, of course, there are the golf courses.
"Yes, there are definitely more golf courses in Christchurch than Dunedin," said the mutli-talented Dagg, who if he wasn't a professional rugby player could easily be a pro golfer or cricketer.
Dagg, 22, has already played at two of the more picturesque and up-market courses in Canterbury - Pegasus and Clearwater - as part of a battle with fellow Crusader Sean Maitland.
With an 85, Dagg beat Maitland by three shots at Pegasus.
"We did Clearwater next and I blew out with 106. Sean had an 85 ... all that water was a bit daunting, a bit hard for me," recalled Dagg, earlier this week.
"We'll do Shirley or Russley next ... I'll go better then."
The Lindisfarne College product, who made six test appearances with the ABs last year before a quad injury forced him out of the end-of-year tour, is enjoying the Crusaders environment after two seasons with the Highlanders.
"I've really noticed the high skills levels and high standards. They demand the best of everyone on and off the field. There's a big pick-up in intensity," said Dagg.
"At the same time, there's no disrespect to the Highlanders.
"I enjoyed my time down there and they did me some favours."
In his own words, Dagg "hasn't had a great pre-season".
He missed the Crusaders first outing against the Reds through injury, had 20 minutes against the Rebels and missed the Highlanders game.
"Rehab has gone well on the quad injury and, hopefully, I'll start at fullback against the Blues at Eden Park on Saturday night," said Dagg, who has had 42 first class appearances for the Magpies since his 2006 debut.
He has heard stories of young players finding it difficult to adjust to the Crusaders set-up when first arriving in Christchurch but, in his case, things are a little different.
"I'm fortunate I played alongside a lot of them in the All Blacks and, with Zac already having had a season here, he made things easy.
"He gave me a bit of stick when I was injured and now he is out for a few weeks with his hamstring injury I'm giving him stick," said Dagg with a laugh.
When it was suggested tonight's outing could be the first of several on Eden Park in Rugby World Cup year, Dagg said he wasn't looking too far ahead.
"I've got to make sure I'm fully recovered from my injury and then concentrate on helping the Crusaders have a good Super 15.
"We've got a tough start to the campaign with the Blues, Hurricanes, Waratahs and Brumbies."
Needless to say his next battle with Maitland won't be far from his mind ... after all it is the decider.
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