Confirmation on the extent of Israel Dagg's injury
New Zealand wing Israel Dagg has been ruled out for the rest of the year with a knee injury.
Dagg aggravated a long-standing issue in September's 39-22 victory over Argentina in the Rugby Championship, in which he scored a try, his sole outing of the competition.
Steve Hansen had offered a downcast review on Dagg's fitness when ruling the 29-year-old out of last week's Test against South Africa, which New Zealand won by a crushing 57-0 scoreline.
"It doesn't look great at this stage," he said.
"It looks like he might need some time away from the game but until I get more information it would be pointless to tell you how long or what is wrong."
The All Blacks revealed on Twitter that Dagg does not require surgery to fix the issue, but he will play no part in the remainder of the Rugby Championship, nor New Zealand's November tour of the Northern Hemisphere, which sees them take on France and Wales among five matches.
Dagg underwent knee surgery in March after picking up an injury playing for Crusaders in Super Rugby, but he returned to fitness in time to play in all three of the All Blacks' Tests against the British and Irish Lions.
He joins experienced prop Owen Franks and breakout star of the Lions tour, Jordie Barrett, in sitting out the rest of 2017 due to injury.
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Hi Nick. Thanks for your +++ ongoing analysis. Re Vunivalu, He’s been benched recently and it will be interesting to see what Kiss does with him as we enter the backend of SRP. I’m still not sold.
Go to commentsIn the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
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