1:02pm, 04 April 2019 This morning, Israel Dagg announced his immediate retirement from professional rugby. ADVERTISEMENT 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. ADVERTISEMENT “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 ADVERTISEMENT 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.<doc-sep>11:40am, 04 April 2019 All Black Israel Dagg is hanging up his boots after announcing his retirement from rugby. The injury-enforced announcement comes after 30-year-old’s long-term knee injury didn’t allow him to train and play at an elite level, so after taking medical advice he has decided to retire. ADVERTISEMENT The revelation brings the curtain down on a stellar rugby career which began in 2006 when Dagg made his debut as an 18 year old for his Hawke’s Bay provincial side. He ends 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). While disappointed that his fantastic rugby career has been ended by injury, Dagg is also philosophical and says he’s grateful to have had such a long and successful career, which included a Rugby World Cup win in 2011 and numerous other successful campaigns with the All Blacks, and back-to-back Super Rugby championships with the Crusaders in 2017 and 2018. “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. “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. On a personal note, I’m looking forward to taking on some new challenges in the future, and looking forward to spending more time with my young family.” (Continue reading below…) ADVERTISEMENT New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Tew has led the tributes to Dagg. “On behalf of all rugby fans both here and around the world, I want to thank Israel for his stellar service to New Zealand rugby. He leaves us as one of the greats of our game and the second most capped All Blacks full-back of all time. He was an excitement machine on the rugby field and fans knew that when he got the ball in his hands that anything could happen. “Israel came into professional rugby at a relatively young age but, injuries aside, was able to perform at the highest level for many years and certainly wore the All Blacks jersey with real pride and honour. We’ll miss having him play, but given his infectious personality and positive attitude, I’m sure the New Zealand public will still see plenty of Israel Dagg as he enters the next phase of his life. We wish him and his family all the very best.” BREAKING | Tributes flow as 66-Test All Black @izzy_dagg calls time on rugby career. READ ?? https://t.co/aazRblBLpK pic.twitter.com/o3pGZ3eXQv — All Blacks (@AllBlacks) April 4, 2019 Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge said: “Izzy has had a wonderful Super Rugby career with our club, but it’s his personality that has ultimately endeared him to staff, his team mates and our Crusaders fans over such a long period of time. His ‘team first’ approach ensures he’ll continue to provide support to our group throughout the 2019 season, and we certainly wish him and his young family all the very best for the future.” ADVERTISEMENT Crusaders coach Scott Robertson added: “Izzy has made such a massive contribution to the Crusaders both on and off the field over the past eight seasons. He’s a world-class player, a great team man and an absolute champion. He has been a huge part of the success of this team and his willingness to take the time to mentor the young guys coming through has been hugely important in their development. “Izzy has been a leader within the Crusaders for a long time and has been driving our culture throughout his career. He’ll stay in our environment and remain an important part of this 2019 campaign – which shows the measure of the man.” All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said: “It’s always a shame when injury forces a player to retire, but ‘Izzy’ will leave our game knowing that he’ll forever be remembered as an outstanding player who definitely enhanced the All Blacks jersey and contributed to the legacy of the team. “He had an outstanding debut season for us in 2010, scoring that final try in the Test against the Springboks in Johannesburg, and then took that form into the Rugby World Cup in 2011 where he was one of the stars of the tournament, and he played a major part in the All Blacks being successful at that tournament. “We’ll all miss his outstanding rugby skills on the field, but he was a real character off the field as well. We’ll look back fondly at his time in the black jersey – he’s a very special man and a very special player. We wish him, wife Daisy and his young family all the very best for what the future holds.” Hawkes Bay Rugby CEO Jay Campbell added: “Israel was destined for greatness even before bursting onto the scene as a schoolboy superstar for the Magpies in 2006, and it’s no coincidence that his time in black and white saw unheralded success for the Magpies. “While injury and his international commitments restricted his appearances in recent years, at his peak Izzy was one of the world’s finest players and he retires a Magpies legend whose legacy and outstanding contribution to rugby in Hawke’s Bay cannot be underestimated. On behalf of all Magpies fans, I wish him well in his post-rugby career.”<doc-sep>All Blacks outside back Israel Dagg is looking on the bright side following his premature retirement from rugby. After struggling with a knee injury for seasons, the 30-year-old has made the hard decision to give the game away entirely. He's tried everything to fix his right knee, including undergoing stem cell therapy, but nothing has properly worked. Dagg was a star of the 2011 World Cup winning team and played 66 tests for the All Blacks, as well as more than 100 Super Rugby games. But injuries have prevented him from playing more games and he's been out of the game for six months, last playing club rugby in Japan. Dagg said the decision to retire was tough, but he's looking forward to spending more time with his wife Daisy and two children, Arlo and Tilly. "It was all going to end one day - a lot earlier than I thought, but it is what is," he told media in a press conference. "The more I was playing on [the knee], the worse it got, and I think it was just affecting me mentally. "I wasn't able to do the things I was able to do and perform, and when you're playing in the Crusaders or the All Blacks, you've got to perform, and I felt like I wasn't doing that.<doc-sep>
Former All Blacks outside back Israel Dagg has called time on his career, hanging up his boots with immediate effect. The 30-year-old's long-term knee injury has stopped him from training and playing at an elite level, so after taking medical advice he decided to retire. Dagg made his All Blacks test debut in 2010 and was a member of the 2011 World Cup winning squad. He's also played over 100 combined Super Rugby games with the Crusaders and Highlander and made 50 appearances for his beloved Hawke's Bay Magpies. "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," said Dagg. "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. "On a personal note, I'm looking forward to taking on some new challenges in the future, and looking forward to spending more time with my young family." Dagg last played for the All Blacks against Argentina in 2017 and he scored 138 points including 26 tries during his time in the black jersey. "It's always a shame when injury forces a player to retire, but 'Izzy' will leave our game knowing that he'll forever be remembered as an outstanding player who definitely enhanced the All Blacks jersey and contributed to the legacy of the team," said All Blacks coach Steve Hansen. "He had an outstanding debut season for us in 2010, scoring that final try in the Test against the Springboks in Johannesburg, and then took that form into the Rugby World Cup in 2011 where he was one of the stars of the tournament, and he played a major part in the All Blacks being successful at that tournament. "We'll all miss his outstanding rugby skills on the field, but he was a real character off the field as well. We'll look back fondly at his time in the black jersey - he's a very special man and an exceptional player. "We wish him, wife Daisy and his young family all the very best for what the future holds." Newshub.