Dagg's qualities parallel star of 1987 World Cup

Israel Dagg of the All Blacks reacts after scoring a try. Photo / Getty Images

Similarities between Israel Dagg and John Gallagher are too marked to ignore.

If the World Cup consequences also dovetail, the All Black coaches will give thanks for their decision to promote Dagg to starting fullback for tomorrow's start to the tournament.

Gallagher was a centre and fullback who came emigrated from England before starring in the 1987 tournament and Dagg is a fullback with experience on the wing who has made a late-rails run to get in the squad.

He overcame a thigh injury to star in his solitary test this year against the Springboks and vault into the World Cup squad. Now he has been promoted ahead of 98-test veteran Mils Muliaina for the All Blacks' tournament opener against Tonga.

Dagg was born a year after the All Blacks' solitary World Cup success in 1987, but remembers the 1995 event in South Africa and the freakish deeds of Jonah Lomu. Other stars such as John Kirwan and Christian Cullen are also seared into his consciousness.

He was downplaying his calibre yesterday, suggesting he was just being given a chance.

"I don't think I have moved ahead of Millsy [Muliaina]," he said. "I have a lot of respect for the guy, I have just been given this opportunity to go out there and put the jersey on. I want to put everything out on the paddock and repay the faith the selectors have given me."

Dagg thought his season was done after tearing his thigh muscle from the bone during the Super 15 series.

An MRI and x-rays did not give him much hope either.

But he returned and one test at Port Elizabeth convinced the selectors Dagg was World Cup ready.

"I guess it was just one flukey performance and I just have to keep getting out there every day and train hard and keep working on it," he said.

"Next game I could have a shocker and then everyone will go 'that is only one game where you played well' so I will do my best and get out there and hopefully this game I can do well."

Starting the first World Cup game in his own country was massive, he said, and his parents would be at Eden Park to share the experience.