It's been frustrating for Dagg - a player who has shown since 2010 that he's got the temperament and skills to shine in test football, but who also has a pressing need to reiterate that point having not quite been at his sharpest throughout 2014.
The back three has been highlighted by head coach Steve Hansen as one of the most fiercely contested areas in regard to selection and there is significant pressure on Dagg to deliver a convincing performance in Apia.
"I try not to think about it too much because I think when you do, that's when it all goes pear-shaped," he says.
"I'll just back myself and be confident - confident that I am good enough to be here. For me I can't control any of that [form of the other selected back three players].
"They are playing great rugby and that's awesome that they are playing outstanding. They deserve all the opportunities they get but I can't control that. I was pretty disappointed that I got injured, but it happened and now I have an opportunity to be part of this [All Black] campaign."
Dagg, of course, knows from first-hand experience that the situation in July can look a lot different by August.
He suffered a remarkably similar fate in 2011 when he ripped his groin playing for the Crusaders and only managed a game and a half before the World Cup squad was named.
A virtuoso one-test performance in Port Elizabeth won him his place and his form kicked on so well from there that he kept veteran Mils Muliaina out of the starting XV at the tournament.
He's been the beneficiary of the volatile nature of test football once before, which is why he's focusing no further ahead than Apia and nailing his core roles once he gets there.
"You never have a foot in the door with this team," he says. "You can be in the starting team one week and then boom, straight out of it. You are always on edge. That's the great thing about this team. You don't want to be comfortable. You want to be vying for the jersey. I have come back in with a lot of energy and willing to learn."
