Rugby: Dagg expecting barrage of kicks

New law interpretations were supposed to mean more running and less kicking this season.

It was to be all about the ball passing through the hands rather than flying from the boot.

But five games into the Super 14, try telling that to Highlanders fullback Israel Dagg.

Dagg, who will look to back up his three-try effort last week against the Bulls with another top game against the Sharks at Carisbrook tonight, said his job as a fullback was getting busier - mainly through fielding kicks.

"If anything, I think there is more kicking this year.

"The kicking is better, too.

"Last week against the Bulls I had quite a few guys coming at me and they were looking at putting up guys who were interfering with me," Dagg said.

"It can be pretty frustrating when you end up dropping the ball.

"But all that means is you have to keep practising.

"We've had the halfbacks putting up plenty of high balls this week.

"Plus we've been looking at getting some protection back around me, some sort of blockers, both in front and behind me, so I can get a decent leap at the ball."

One gets the feeling Dagg (21) will continue facing the aerial bombardment tonight against a Sharks side desperate for a win.

Dagg said scoring three tries last week was a case of getting more involved in the play.

"We need to put together an 80-minute performance.

"The games in the past we have played well for 50 to 60 minutes but we've had that 20-minute spell where we haven't been as good and that has been costly.

"That just comes down to concentration and making sure we cut down on the errors, so the little things get done right."

Dagg said the Highlanders had recovered well in the trip back from South Africa and were not missing the 46degC temperatures the team had to endure in Cape Town.

"That was just too hot. Sweating all the time.

"Lucky we had air conditioning in the hotel rooms so I just ended up staying in my hotel room for most of the trip.

"It's good to be home and to be back in front of the home crowd."

The Hawke's Bay fullback was a hot property last year after a stand-out first season and turned down offers from other franchises to stay loyal to the Highlanders.

"The Highlanders were pretty good to me in my first year so I thought I should give something back to them and sign for another year with the franchise."

Dagg will be busy tonight as he is also the side's goal-kicker, with Mathew Berquist not making the team.

He did not miss a kick at goal last week but playing in the rarefied air in Pretoria is different than the sometimes swirling wind of Carisbrook.

In a match which is shaping up to be close, goal-kicking may be vital.

It really is a dance of the desperates tonight.

Between them the two sides only have one win, and with both having big ambitions before the season started, the team which walks away the loser tonight will be staring down the barrel of a fruitless season.

After missing last week because of suspension, Michael Hobbs and Adam Thomson will want to atone for their absence and climb into their work for the Highlanders.

Thomson starts at No 8 with Nasi Manu still unavailable.

Manu's knee is almost right but he has now twinged a hamstring.