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ISRAEL DAGGS defence is under
the spotlight following last
Fridays 26-29
loss to the Hur-
ricanes.
Former Can-
terbury and All
Black fullback
Fergie McCor-
mick (right),
said Daggs All
Blacks spot
might be up for
grabs if his de-
fensive woes continue.
His achilles heel was exposed
when Hurricanes wing Alapati
Leiua brushed past the Crusaders
defenders, including Dagg, on his
way to scoring the match-winning
try.
Said McCormick, a tough, crash-
tackling fullback: Why doesnt
Dagg come up and tackle (Leiua)?
Hes only ve metres away from
him why didnt he go and get him?
Why does he wait for him to
come?
McCormick, who played 16 tests
for the All Blacks, said he didnt
agree that poor defence by the Cru-
sader wings was putting pressure on
Dagg as the last line of defence.
Dagg will never go o with a sore
shoulder through tackling, he said.
How many tackles has he missed
in his career? How many times has
he been run over? I dont blame him
for that, but why do these young
fellas wait for a big fella to get up
steam?
McCormick said if Daggs defence
did not get better he would struggle
to retain his All Blacks spot.
Teres three or four fullbacks
knocking on the door at the mo-
ment, he said, singling out High-
lander Ben Smith and Hurricanes
Andre Taylor for praise.
But McCormick said the Crusad-
ers shaky start to the season wasnt
necessarily cause for panic.
We were going to get beaten some
time, weve been on top for so many
years, he said.
Te Crusaders have not nished
outside of the top four since 2001,
and based on results so far, that 12-
year golden run is looking vulner-
able.
McCormick said the Crusad-
ers biggest issue is their inability to
score.
Mistakes at vital times have cost
the Crusaders points. A few times
weve been on attack and failed to
convert it into a try or penalty.
Te Crusaders have only scored
nine tries this season, which leaves
them tied for joint-least with the
Stormers.
When youre on attack and not
getting points somethings not
right there, he said.
Te Crusaders next game is on
Sunday morning against the Lions
in Johannesburg.
!"#$#!#%&'( lormer CanLerbury greaL lergle McCormlck ls worrled abouL lsrael uagg's defence.
PC1C: MA81ln Pun1L8
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