Dagg a doubt for World Cup after injury

Israel Dagg’s World Cup is in jeopardy after the New Zealand and Crusaders star outside back had surgery on his injured thigh.

Dagg, who plays full-back for the Crusaders and Hawke’s Bay, ruptured a tendon in his right thigh while attempting a clearance kick against the Stormers on May 8.

He underwent surgery on Monday and is understood to be out of all rugby for three months, ending his Super Rugby season.

The All Blacks’ final Bledisloe Cup and Tri Nations Test against Australia in Brisbane on August 27 is expected to coincide with the naming of the 30-man World Cup squad.

Picking Dagg at that point, over many other outside back options, would be a gamble by All Blacks coaches Graham Henry, Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen.

With ability to cover wing and full-back equally well, Dagg was a near-World Cup certainty and his injury opens the door for fellow World Cup hopefuls, among them Cory Jane, Hosea Gear, Ben Smith, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Rene Ranger.