As the search for the All Blacks' next head coach intensifies, former All Black Israel Dagg has thrown down the gauntlet, demanding a return to the foundational values that once made the All Blacks the envy of the rugby world. With candidates like Jamie Joseph and Dave Rennie leading the pack, the real focus, according to Dagg, should be on reviving the team's storied legacy.
New Zealand Rugby's hunt for Scott Robertson's successor comes with a clear mandate: the new coach must be a Kiwi with international experience. This criteria has sparked a fiery debate about who will next lead the iconic black jersey. Dagg, however, remains indifferent about the identity of the new coach, as long as they prioritize the team's ethos.
"I don’t care who’s going to be coaching the All Blacks, I just want someone to come in and put that jersey first, put that jersey at the forefront of their mind and know that there is so much they’re playing for at the moment,"
Dagg expressed during Sport Nation's Scotty and Izzy show.
Dagg's concern is not unfounded, given the All Blacks' recent struggles under Robertson, who managed only a solitary win against the Springboks in four attempts, including two narrow defeats in South Africa and a record loss at home. The new coach faces a daunting task with four tests against the Springboks in 2026, three of which are on South African turf.
Dagg emphasized the critical nature of these matches, pointing out the need for a winning mentality that transcends borders and instills pride back into the nation's rugby culture. "You’ve got to go to South Africa, beat South Africa in South Africa. Whether that’s by one point, 10 points, whatever, but you’ve got to go over there and get results," he stated, underlining the high expectations placed on the team.
The sentiment around the All Blacks is a mix of anticipation and anxiety as fans and former players alike await a revival. Whomever the new coach might be, the pressure is immense, not just to win, but to win in a manner that restores the All Blacks as the standard-bearers of international rugby. Dagg's plea is a clarion call to future leadership — honor the jersey, honor the legacy.
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As the search for the All Blacks' next head coach intensifies, former All Black Israel Dagg has thrown down the gauntlet, demanding a return to the foundational values that once made the All Blacks the envy of the rugby world. With candidates like Jamie Joseph and Dave Rennie leading the pack, the real focus, according to Dagg, should be on reviving the team's storied legacy.
New Zealand Rugby's hunt for Scott Robertson's successor comes with a clear mandate: the new coach must be a Kiwi with international experience. This criteria has sparked a fiery debate about who will next lead the iconic black jersey. Dagg, however, remains indifferent about the identity of the new coach, as long as they prioritize the team's ethos.
"I don’t care who’s going to be coaching the All Blacks, I just want someone to come in and put that jersey first, put that jersey at the forefront of their mind and know that there is so much they’re playing for at the moment,"
Dagg expressed during Sport Nation's Scotty and Izzy show.Dagg's concern is not unfounded, given the All Blacks' recent struggles under Robertson, who managed only a solitary win against the Springboks in four attempts, including two narrow defeats in South Africa and a record loss at home. The new coach faces a daunting task with four tests against the Springboks in 2026, three of which are on South African turf.
Dagg emphasized the critical nature of these matches, pointing out the need for a winning mentality that transcends borders and instills pride back into the nation's rugby culture. "You’ve got to go to South Africa, beat South Africa in South Africa. Whether that’s by one point, 10 points, whatever, but you’ve got to go over there and get results," he stated, underlining the high expectations placed on the team.
The sentiment around the All Blacks is a mix of anticipation and anxiety as fans and former players alike await a revival. Whomever the new coach might be, the pressure is immense, not just to win, but to win in a manner that restores the All Blacks as the standard-bearers of international rugby. Dagg's plea is a clarion call to future leadership — honor the jersey, honor the legacy.