Hard to believe but the rugby season's just around the corner with the first Super 15 pre-season matches happening this weekend.
It's a bumper year for union with the Rugby World Cup kicking off in September and one of those vying for a place in the All Blacks is new Crusaders recruit Israel Dagg.
Dagg won't play for the red and blacks tomorrow night against the Queensland Reds as he and fellow backs Sean Maitland and Zac Guildford sit out the game with minor niggles, and the former Highlander admits there's other things on his mind than Super Rugby.
Dagg says it is a big year but he has to cement his place in the Crusaders before hopefully making the All Blacks squad for the big tournament.
