All Blacks: Dagg has set a high standard - Mils

Mils Muliaina will appear in his 99th test match for the All Blacks on Sunday. Photo / Getty Images

All Blacks fullback Mils Muliaina isn't letting the sparkling form of Israel Dagg bother him.

The Hawke's Bay upstart appears to have jumped ahead of Muliaina in the pecking order to be first-choice for his position after two impressive displays during the group stages of the World Cup.

Muliaina will play his first match of the tournament against Canada in Wellington on Sunday after a hamstring complaint kept him on ice.

It will be the Waikato veteran's 99th test cap and he said Dagg's efforts weren't putting him on edge.

"I think once you start thinking like that then it's really about yourself as an individual,'' Muliaina said.

"My job really is to go out there and perform well for the team. Do my job the best I can and that started when the team was named; to prepare well and go out there and not look for the things that's going to make you look flashy. That's never been about the way I play. It's all about making sure I do my role right in the team.

"Izzy has set a high standard and I've got to make sure that I do my job as best I can like he has in the last three weeks.''

A strong performance from Muliaina would give the All Blacks' selectors a tough choice over who to pick in the No 15 jersey for the crucial knockout games.

Dagg's ability to break the line has drawn comparisons to the great Christian Cullen, but Sunday's game will only be his 10th test match, while Muliaina offers solidarity, vision and a wealth of experience.

Having being used as a water boy for the opening games, Muliaina said it would also be a nice change to get on the paddock in his playing kit.

"It's going to be a little different. I suppose the last couple of weeks have been pretty good running out and hearing some of the things that come through the radio in your ear and what not. Certainly getting an opportunity to go out this week and be part of it is going to be pretty exciting. So it's been a long time since I've played a bit of test match rugby and I'm looking forward to going out and doing that.''

Muliaina will be part of an unfamiliar back three with Dagg named on the right wing, while Zac Guildford will also play his first game of the competition and has been named on the left flank.

Guildford, who has copped some flak over a late-night alcohol incident following his poor performance against Australia in August, said he couldn't wait to get on the field and collect his eighth cap.

"You'd rather be playing instead of watching,'' the Hawke's Bay rookie said.

"But we've got some pretty good competition in the squad so I get my chance this week and I'm looking forward to it.''

The pressure will also be on Guildford, who was a controversial selection in the 30-man squad ahead of Wellington winger Hosea Gear, because Richard Kahui's form in the opening rounds has been top draw.

Kahui, who was moved from centre to play on the wing, is unavailable for this weekend due to a hamstring complaint, which has handed Guildford an opportunity.

Starting XV:

1. Tony Woodcock (79)
2. Andrew Hore (58)
3. Owen Franks (26)
4. Samuel Whitelock (21)
5. Ali Williams (69)
6. Jerome Kaino (44)
7. Richie McCaw - captain (100)
8. Kieran Read (32)
9. Jimmy Cowan (49)
10. Daniel Carter (84)
11. Zac Guildford (7)
12. Sonny Bill Williams (10)
13. Conrad Smith (51)
14. Israel Dagg (9)
15. Mils Muliaina (98)

Reserves:

16. Keven Mealamu (88)
17. Ben Franks (13)
18. Brad Thorn (55)
19. Anthony Boric (23)
20. Piri Weepu (52)
21. Colin Slade (8)
22. Isaia Toeava (34)