Dagg's penetration, passing skills and support play on attack are hard to dispute. That was demonstrated in the 21st minute when he was on hand to receive a ball from Carter who slipped some flimsy French defence.
Dagg's fifth All Blacks try in nine tests and third try of this tournament will be one of his easiest but he still had to get into position. His second try of the match required more effort three minutes after halftime. He weaved through a maze of French defenders next to the ruck and somehow emerged over the line to give the All Blacks a commanding 24-3 lead.
He should be nicknamed "CRC" the way he creates the smoothest of passages through the tightest of gaps. Adding to Dagg's CV was the final flick to Adam Thomson which opened the scoring on the left flank.
He also regularly kept his nerve which enabled passes to be delivered going into contact. His ability to handle pressure was again evident 3m from his own goal line, three minutes in.
A French drop kick hit the right-hand upright and bounced into play. Dagg could see a hybrid of French and New Zealand players rumbling towards him. He kept his distance waiting to make the tackle but the ball popped into his grasp.
Rather than taking it in and waiting for the cavalry he had the presence of mind to offload to Ma'a Nonu. He repeated that crucial quality of waiting for the right moment to pounce on the defence other times, too. In the eighth minute he made a crucial tackle after a Nonu miss.
The selectors were not sure Dagg would make the World Cup at one stage. They'll be glad he did now.
