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Fans share the love with Israel Dagg after surprise retirement announcement
This morning, Israel Dagg announced his immediate retirement from professional rugby.
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In 2010, Dagg burst onto the All Blacks scene: deceptively quick with a booming left boot and some of the wildest facial expressions you’ll see on a rugby field, it wasn’t long before Dagg cemented himself as a fan favourite.
Who can forget the 2010 Tri-Nations match between the All Blacks and the Springboks in Johannesburg when Dagg received the offload from a one-shoed Ma’a Nonu in the final minute of the game to create the match-winning try that also sewed up the tournament for New Zealand?
Only a year later, Dagg was a key member of the All Blacks World Cup squad that took out the competition at home – usurping test centurion Mils Muliaiana for the fullback jersey and starting both the semi-final and final at 15.
Since debuting for the Hawke’s Bay Magpies in New Zealand’s provincial competition in 2006 at just 18 years of age, Dagg has forged a successful career with both the Crusaders and the All Blacks, earning almost 180 caps over Super Rugby and All Blacks matches. He has also managed to notch up a half-century with the Magpies in that time.
Like all good things, however, Dagg’s career must now come to an end. A run of bad luck with injuries has meant his body can no longer keep up with the strain of professional rugby and, after his latest lengthy knee injury, Dagg has decided that now is the time to hang up his boots.
“It’s been an honour to represent the All Blacks, Crusaders and Hawke’s Bay over the years and I’m incredibly proud to have worn each of those jerseys throughout my career,” Dagg has said regarding his glittering career.
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“While it’s bittersweet to mark the end of my playing career, I’m grateful to still be able to contribute to this Crusaders team in 2019 and help prepare some of the younger squad members to take the next step in their own careers.”
Fans have understandably been quick to commemorate the outside back’s career on social media.
Sad news about Israel Dagg. Hell of a player in his prime
— Anthony Lewis (@tonylewis92) April 4, 2019
"Dagg, Dagg, beautiful running, Israel Dagg, still goooing, Is-rael Dagg. Hooo! Hooo! What a try!"
— Stephen Clark (@ClarkHistoryPol) April 4, 2019
8 fantastic seasons. What a great run. Thank you Israel Dagg. #CrusadeOn Crusader for life @izzy_dagg @crusadersrugby
— Ciku Njoroge ???? (@babyshyx) April 4, 2019
I was worried the fella would have to hang them up with this long term injury ? sad day for rugby, one of the characters and all round class act.
All the best in whatever you do brother @izzy_dagg #149 ??? pic.twitter.com/5DyjsQxjvX— Lloyd Jones (@LloydJones1882) April 4, 2019
For all the memories, for all the dazzle, for all the entertainment, thank you Izzy. All the best for your next chapter @izzy_dagg pic.twitter.com/Zm2ckehYLw
— Ludumo Nkabi (@Ludz19) April 4, 2019
Izzy Dagg is one of the best players I’ve ever seen in an Allblack Jersey, terrible injury has had to end his career.
— Philasande Sixaba (@psixaba) April 4, 2019
Congrats to @izzy_dagg on a stellar rugby career. Always played the game the right way – fun at the centre!
Mid-career pivot to cricket? DO IT!— Jamie Paul Lloyd (@jamiepaullloyd) April 4, 2019
Best wishes to @izzy_dagg for life after rugby. As this door closes, others will surely open. Thanks for all the memories pic.twitter.com/Jsi2f1upsj
— Tony Stuart (@TonyStuart55) April 4, 2019
Whilst Dagg’s playing future is over, he will continue to be involved with the Crusaders for 2019. What’s next for Dagg after that is anyone’s guess, but a future in the media could beckon for the affable All Black.
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Comments on RugbyPass
I wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
1 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
4 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
23 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
23 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
16 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
23 Go to comments