Gregor Paul: Henry's radical rethink - Dagg at No 10?

All Black Israel Dagg leaps through the challenge from Matt Evans of Canada to score. Photo / Getty Images

It's time for the All Blacks to do something radical - for Graham Henry to make the biggest coaching call of his career. Dan Carter has gone and taken so much hope with him.

Hand the No 10 jersey to Colin Slade and the All Blacks are relying on luck to win the World Cup. He's a good player; tidy, organised and capable. But since when was that enough for the All Blacks? Since when did that win World Cups?

In time, with more experience, Slade could mature into something special. But there isn't time. The All Blacks need a ready-made top quality No 10 by Sunday.

Piri Weepu can't be that man either - partly because he's not at that level and partly because he has to play at halfback because he's so much better than the other two options.

Aaron Cruden definitely isn't that man. He hasn't played for a month and still doesn't convince with his kicking game.

Slade, Weepu and Cruden - think of all the people who have played first five for the All Blacks and ask where would these guys respectively rank? And we expect one of them to steer the All Blacks through three of the toughest games in rugby history.

But alas...these are the options. So what is Henry to do? Well, these are the options if everyone insists on being conventional - of thinking purely inside the square.

Stay inside the square and the All Blacks will give South Africa or Australia a really tough time in the semi-final. Boy will they get close and really put the pressure on. They should definitely nail the Bronze Final game with one of those three in the navigation role.

Going outside the square presents different options. It comes with bigger risks but potentially bigger rewards. It will be horribly cruel on Slade - but no hero was ever made without encountering adversity.

The radical but potentially inspired selection at No 10 would be Israel Dagg. It reeks a little of madness to play him there but there is always that fine line between genius and insanity.

Dagg has a booming boot; he is quick off the mark and can attack the line from unconventional angles. He can tackle; he can drop into backfield to play fullback and he can pass. He's never played there before but that excites more than it concerns. He's such a gifted player, gifted sportsman with such a good temperament for the big stage, he's not likely to be thrown by the switch.

The coaches would have to be prepared to be hammered and accused of losing it - but hey, All Black fullbacks have little history of playing at fullback at World Cups.

They shouldn't worry about ripping up their contingency plan. The thing about contingency plans is that no one ever makes a proper one. The coaches never really thought Carter would be ruled out before the quarter-finals and now that he has, they have to make a plan - not assume they have to follow a contingency plan.

Remember how the Wallabies won a World Cup by switching fullback Stephen Larkham to first five. That was brave and inspired. The All Blacks can do the same with Dagg - he's a match winner; a ball player and a supreme talent. He can win the All Blacks the World Cup.

jembo () | 11:50AM Wednesday, 05 Oct 2011
I said they should run Dagg at 10 on the ABs website a few weeks ago. I just think maybe he should've been tried there a wee bit earlier. But yes, the same way that Stevie Larkham played, so can Dagg. Only Dagg is quicker, stronger and has a better boot on him. Go on IZZY!
Martin Gray (Auckland City) | 11:50AM Wednesday, 05 Oct 2011
.errrrr.first thoughts you're branded as crazy: but you have a valid point too about 'contingency plans' and operating outside the box: We don't have a history of doing that in NZ, esp at play-offs (look at 2007 when the French threw caution to the wind and said "We'll worry about that tomorrow" and the ABs went back to the British heredity mentality that said "Play safe, don't make mistakes"
If all three wise men come to the same frank discussion over a few-too-many drinks tonight in the bar, it might JUST work ! (Martin in Auckland)
Grimbles (New Zealand) | 11:51AM Wednesday, 05 Oct 2011
Nope. Stick with Slade now. He's only steady but he has great players all around him. NZ has never been gifted with flashy 1st fives and we've done pretty well. Carter recently has played pretty conservatively actually, much like Slade, and hes fed his backline well.
Slade can do that too and let him grow into it. BUT he shouldn't do the kicking, its too much pressure. The last thing you need to do now is drop a bomb like Dagg at 1st five. Not only is it crazy but showing no respect or trust in the team.
It would have a bad effect on morale and the competition qwould be licking its lips, its just not necessary. Sorry Dude it's crazy. Slade needs encouragement and backing. Playing Slade for 40 minutes then bringing Weepu into that role however is quite a good idea and will leave the opposition guessing. Crikey the All Blacks can still win this, get behind them.