How Habana haunted Dagg

Former All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg says he was kept on his toes by Springbok legends Bryan Habana and Fourie du Preez.

Looking ahead to Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, Dagg reflected on the South African players who made life difficult for New Zealand during his international career.

Speaking on The Aftermatch with Kirst & Beav, the two-time World Cup winner said former Springbok scrumhalf Fourie du Preez was one player who never allowed him to switch off.

“Probably the most creative, smartest nine to play the game,” he said. “So as a 15, you always knew you had to be on, because as soon as you have a break or you stop moving, he’s gonna chip kick there; he’s gonna figure you out.”

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Habana, meanwhile, forced the All Blacks to adapt their attacking approach.

“I grew up watching him intercept everything from the outside,” Dagg said.

“Every time we played South Africa, during the week we’d do those little sneaky passes, and then Shag [coach Steve Hansen] would go, ‘Did you look where you’re passing?’ He goes, ‘Habana! He’s going under our posts if you do that!’

“So we always had to ensure that we had clear space to pass to our wingers.”

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Dagg also recalled coming up against former Bok fullback Zane Kirchner, flyhalf Morné Steyn and scrumhalf-cum-wing Francois Hougaard.

“I played a lot against Zane Kirchner. He was the Springbok fullback for a while, so I’ve got a lot of respect for Zane, and we had a lot of battles over the years.

“Morné Steyn could just kick it from anywhere. You always knew you just can’t get penalised against South Africa. You give away a penalty, that’s three points, see you back at halfway.

“I played Francois Hougaard a couple of times. He played most of his time at nine, but for some reason he went on the wing [against the All Blacks]. So I had a lot of battles with Francois too.”

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