Dagg: All Blacks 'love' being written off

11/01/2024 01:21 AM

Israel Dagg believes Stuart Barnes' critique of Beauden Barrett will motivate the All Blacks star, much like criticism did for Dan Carter before his 2015 World Cup master-class.

Writing as a columnist and match analyst for The Times, former England flyhalf Barnes stoked the flames ahead of Saturday's clash against New Zealand at Twickenham, describing Barrett as past his prime.

"I love that article; I absolutely love it. Write it and say what you want," Dagg said on the SENZ radio show Scotty & Izzy.

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Reflecting on past criticisms of Carter, Dagg noted how doubters fueled his teammate to rise to the occasion. "People wrote DC off heading into the 2015 World Cup, saying he was injured, over the hill… and he produced an absolute clinic at the World Cup."

Barrett, a seasoned veteran with over 130 Test caps, faces Barnes' view that England's Marcus Smith is now the superior flyhalf. But Dagg isn't concerned: "Don't get me wrong, you lose some speed over time, but you never lose your mind or the ability to anticipate for your team."

Drawing on Barrett's experience, Dagg added, "It's like a game of chess…you're always going to be three or four steps ahead. Beauden knows how to deal with the pressure."

Photo: Photosport/Andrew Cornaga/INPHO

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