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'I'll try and do 130 km/h' - Israel Dagg looks to wind back the clock for Team Rugby in Black Clash T20

January 16, 2019

Dagg was a handy fast bowler as a teen before pursuing a career in professional rugby.

Former All Blacks and Crusaders outside back Israel Dagg hopes to bring some value to Team Rugby ahead of their Black Clash Twenty 20 match against Team Cricket in Christchurch.

The 30-year-old said it has been a while since he has picked up a cricket ball, but admitted he was a handy fast bowler in high school.

"I'll try and do 130 kmp/h or something like that, see how I go," said Dagg.

"I got the radar at a cricket game and it was like 143 kmp/h, I think it was when I was 15-16. But the ball went anywhere.

"I think I was mid-130s, late 130s back in the day but like I said ever since I started playing rugby the only ball I picked up was a tennis ball for backyard cricket."

Dagg believes there is a few players in Team Rugby that could surprise fans at next week's T20 fixture at Hagley Oval.

"I heard Jordie Barrett was pretty sharp in cricket but it will be interesting to see how he goes," said Dagg.

"Heard Jason Spice played a bit of first class cricket so there will be a few boys who will come out hissing."

The trophy for the T20 match was unveiled today, it has been named the Lomu-Crowe trophy in honour of New Zealand rugby legend Jonah Lomu and Kiwi cricket great Martin Crowe.

"But like I said we're playing against some legends of New Zealand cricket so it's going to be a huge ask.

"I'm just going to be in awe of it really even if I get pumped for six, I'm just going to go 'that is going to be pretty cool to tell the kids one day.'"

The T20 Black Clash will be shown live on TVNZ1 on Friday January 25, at 4pm.

Team Rugby

Coach: Sir Graham Henry - former All Blacks coach

1 Kieran Read (c) 
2 Richie McCaw
3 Israel Dagg
4 Beauden Barrett
5 Jordie Barrett
6 Aaron Smith
7 Jason Spice - former Blues and Hurricanes halfback, first-class cricket experience
8 Ali Williams
9 Kendra Cocksedge - Black Ferns halfback and vice-captain
10 Kaylum Boshier - NZ U19 skipper in cricket, Taranaki No. 8
11 Ofisa Tunu'u
12 David Hussey - former Australian cricketer

Team Cricket

Manager: Scott Robertson - Crusaders coach

1 Stephen Fleming (player-coach)
2 Brendon McCullum (skipper)
3 Grant Elliott
4 Luke Ronchi (wicketkeeper)
5 Kyle Mills
6 Chris Harris
7 Nathan Astle
8 James Franklin
9 Hamish Marshall
10 Liz Perry - White Ferns
11 Wildcard (TBA)

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