Injured Dagg raises interesting prospect on Piutau

Blues fullback Charles Piutau. Photo / Jason Oxenham.

Heavyweight New Zealand Rugby censure followed Charles Piutau's announcement he was heading to play rugby in Ulster.

All Black coach Steve Hansen weighed in with his disappointed comments before NZR boss Steve Tew announced Piutau would not be available to the Blues for 11 games before he left.

Kneejerk with particular emphasis on the second syllable seemed to cover that reaction especially when it was compared to other cases.

Hansen said Piutau's decision made it harder to pick him for the World Cup. "We've got a duty to pick the best team but at the same time, if two guys are vying for one spot then things like commitment and experience come in [to] it," he said.

The All Blacks will take four experienced players to cover fullback and wing - Ben Smith, Julian Savea, Cory Jane and Israel Dagg or Piutau - with extra cover from the versatile Beauden Barrett and Colin Slade.

When Hansen voiced his annoyance, Dagg and Piutau were involved in Super Rugby.

Subsequently Dagg suffered hamstring troubles and further damage when he broke down before the weekend game with the Waratahs while Piutau damaged a knee but is tipped to make the last couple of games for the Blues.

The first expanded All Black squad is named in less than a month.

The selectors will choose a squad of 41 players for the Samoa test on July 8 and Rugby Championship.

Dagg might be chosen but would be a non-playing member while Piutau will be back in action.

No players in the Super Rugby final will be picked for Samoa and that could mean an absence of about 18 players if it's a duel between the Hurricanes and Chiefs.

The enlarged squad will be thinned for the Rugby Championship and on the evidence of Dagg's repeat injury and recovery time, he will not be in the main squad.

He last played for the Crusaders seven weeks ago and now, the ITM Cup may be Dagg's avenue for a World Cup recall while a repaired Piutau should be in the Rugby Championship group.

If the All Blacks want to pick for the future they may bypass both but that will ignore the experience they have both accumulated.

The young brigade has some outstanding, yet raw, contenders like Nehe Milner-Skudder, Damian McKenzie, (an injured) James Lowe and Melanie Nanai while Hosea Gear has the experience.

Dagg played in the 2011 World Cup final and his 46 tests since 2010 are prime content against Piutau's 14 internationals. However, it feels like Piutau has made a stronger impression with the All Blacks while injury has bitten into his rival's recent schedule.