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All Blacks Rugby: Why Ben Smith Should Start at Fullback over Israel Dagg
Published: June 13, 2013
Everyone seems to have an opinion on the topic. Few would deny that Dagg has been well below his best for the Crusaders in the 2013 Super 15. But of course this is nothing new, as Dagg has struggled to put together a good Super 15 campaign since leaving the Highlanders in 2010.
His form for the All Blacks, though, has remained outstanding during that period. He was the best fullback at Rugby World Cup 2011 and was electrifying during the 2012 Rugby Championship. With an uncanny knack of cutting defences to bits on the counter, coming into the line to great effect of attack, a very good clearance kick and an ability to take most high balls, there was little to critique in his game.
It is not overly unusual to see the All Blacks coaches show this type of loyalty to an out-of-form player capable of these feats. Indeed, Ma'a Nonu has kept his spot in the midfield despite some indifferent form over the past two years at Super 15 level, while Piri Weepu, Aaron Smith, Tony Woodcock and Ali Williams could have all considered themselves lucky at times over the past two years.
Some of these loyalties have paid off. Nonu certainly has looked fine once in the All Blacks setup, while Aaron Smith's performance in the first test against France this year showed a similar change in form.
But some have not, such as the average international seasons from Weepu and Williams in 2012.
In many of these situations, though, there was little competition for the spot. Either inexperience or other out-of-form players have seen the selectors hands somewhat forced into picking the tried and true.
This is not the case with the Israel Dagg situation, however. In Ben Smith ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Rugby Union
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