World Cup winning All Black Israel Dagg has announced his retirement from rugby at the age of 30. The Crusaders wing has been battling a persistent knee problem for the past number of years and has decided to call it a day based on medical advice.
Dagg knew it was time for him to call time on his rugby career when he could hardly walk the day after trying to chase down his Crusaders teammate Richie Mo’unga in training.
The Hawke’s Bay back represented his country 66 times scoring 26 tries, two penalties and a conversion. He made 89 Super Rugby appearances for the Crusaders, scoring 28 tries.
“My knee’s been pretty niggly for the last couple of years so it’s been coming for a while. I’m just glad it’s out there and I’m just very grateful to everyone for showing me the support and love…it’s been going crazy,” Dagg told The Hits Christchurch.
“It’s just been bone on bone every time I run, kick …it’s just constantly rubbing and bruising the bone. I had major surgery to get it fixed and I’ve just had to call it quits on the footy. And now I just have to worry about life.”
Dagg has battled a string of serious injuries, including to his shoulder and right knee, for a number of years before taking medical advice to hang up his boots.
Dagg made his debut as an 18-year-old for Hawke’s Bay in 2006 and played his first test in 2010. He represented the Crusaders 89 times.
He was part of the victorious World Cup side in 2011 and claimed back-to-back Super Rugby championships with the Crusaders in 2017 and 2018.
Dagg revealed he nearly quit rugby four years ago after failing to make the All Blacks squad for the 2015 World Cup.
