Dagg role can help McCaw in 100-cap race

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw will win the race with Mils Muliaina to a record 100 test caps if Israel Dagg is preferred in New Zealand's team for the opener against Tonga on 9 September and the veteran full back does not play.

Both McCaw and Muliaina currently boast 98 test caps and it was assumed the two would simultaneously become the first Kiwis to achieve the historic century milestone in New Zealand's second match against Japan in Pool A on 16 September.

But the recent return of Israel Dagg from a serious thigh injury to produce an eye-catching Tri Nations performance against South Africa in Port Elizabeth has undermined Muliaina's mortgage on the number 15 jersey.

"There's massive competition for spots in that area and everyone is starting to put their hands up," the 31-year-old admitted.

"You can never be complacent, you have to be at your absolute best, not just on the day but leading up to the games."

Assistant coach Steve Hansen described the competition for the starting full back spot as "huge" in anticipation of Wednesday's team announcement for New Zealand's opening match against Tonga.

"Israel Dagg obviously played fantastically well in South Africa while Mils has played 98 tests and it's hard to find too many that weren't top performances," he said.

"It's a pleasing contest we have there and Mils will stand up to that contest as will Israel."
Muliaina has started more test matches than any other player in the four years since the 2007 Rugby World Cup but that will count for little if his name does not appear on the All Blacks team sheet on Wednesday.

However, he has refused to buy into the selection speculation, preferring to focus on the success of the team rather than the race with McCaw to the century milestone.

"Whether I am out there as a starting player, I think my goal is to make sure this team is really successful and that may be from sitting on the bench or sitting in the stands."