Rugby: Dagg has eye on fullback

Israel Dagg will play against the Chiefs this weekend. Photo / Getty Images

Israel Dagg jokes that Hawkes Bay's two "favourite sons" are returning home this weekend, but he is serious when he says he's hoping to get a start at his favoured fullback position when the Crusaders play the Chiefs in Napier on Friday.

A switch to the back for Dagg will see Magpies' teammate Zac Guildford taking his place on the left wing, and it will be something for coach Todd Blackadder to seriously consider given the Crusaders' loss to the Highlanders and the Chiefs' remarkable victory over the Blues in round two.

Tom Marshall has been the Crusaders' fullback for the first two games, with Guildford beginning Saturday's match in Dunedin on the reserves bench.

Fielding the strongest possible line-up assumes greater importance given the Chiefs' form last weekend. Another contentious decision - starting All Blacks' tighthead prop Owen Franks on the bench for the first two rounds - could also get a re-think.

Dagg said yesterday that the main reason for his starting in the number 11 jersey was a lack of confidence in his right leg after his injury last season - a torn quadriceps muscle while kicking for touch which put his World Cup participation in doubt.

His hesitation in clearing cost the Crusaders an early try in round one against the Blues when his kick was charged down, but Dagg said that lack of confidence was no longer an issue.

"I wasn't confident about it [before the Blues]. I didn't really want to risk it, but I have been confident in the last couple of weeks. I've been practising kicking and I'm back to normal now," he said.

"I'm hoping to play at fullback but I just have to play where I'm selected."

If Dagg does get the nod at the back ahead of Marshall, who looked rattled against the Highlanders - particularly after being dumped by Hosea Gear - he will be in a perfect position to assess a defence which was poor in Dunedin.

The normally dependable Crusaders' line was breached time and again by Jamie Joseph's men who put on a stirring display.

"It was more of an attitude thing and we'll be working on that this week. We had a bad day and you can't afford that in this competition," said Dagg.