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'I'd think to myself 'he's looking at me going 'you're a pu**y' and 'you're so useless''
By Online Editors
Former All Black Israel Dagg has opened up about his battles with mental health.
Earlier this month the 30-year-old retired from the game after taking medical advice, succumbing to a long-term knee injury which didn’t allow him to train and play at an elite level.
Dagg, a vastly decorated player, began his career in 2006 when he made his debut as an 18-year-old for his Hawke’s Bay provincial side. He ended his career having played 66 Tests for the All Blacks over eight years (2010-2017), 89 matches for the Crusaders (2011-2018), 25 games for the Highlanders (2009-2010), and 50 appearances for his beloved Hawke’s Bay Magpies (2006-2015).
But now Dagg has revealed his struggles when speaking to the All Blacks podcast.
“I was down, I hated rugby. I was walking down the street and I would look at people and think to myself ‘he’s looking at me going ‘you’re a pu**y’ and ‘you’re so useless’. I was like, ‘nah I shouldn’t be feeling like this’.”
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A World Cup winner in 2011, one of his big disappointments in his career came when he missed out on selection for the 2015 tournament in England.
Dagg admitted he considered walking away from the game then, but when recovering from a dislocated shoulder he says that family and friends re-ignited his passion for the game.
“Having that close support network to get through those times was crucial. As men we don’t talk and we need to talk,” he revealed.
“You can’t bottle it up and do everything on your own. It is too hard and it will weigh you down,” he said.
“If there is one thing I’ve learned it is just to talk to people. It’s OK to cry.
“I’ve had moments when I’ve cried to my best mates and I’ve cried to my wife and there’s some people out there that might think I’m a pu**y and weak, but I don’t care. People cry and need to share their emotions.”
Dagg managed to force his way back into the All Blacks side and would achieve back-to-back Super Rugby championships with the Crusaders in 2017 and 2018.
In other news: Waratahs scrumhalf Nick Phipps speaks about Folau saga
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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