Former All Blacks star Israel Dagg insists that Ruben Love must remain at fly-half despite being able to cover full-back should a spot open up there.<\/p>\n
The Hurricanes star started all three Nations Championship games at 10 and looks set to take that role for the opening Test against the Springboks.<\/p>\n
Damian McKenzie<\/a> has been alongside him in the 15 jersey, but the full-back went off injured on Tuesday, sparking concerns that he could miss next weekend\u2019s clash.<\/p>\n Dave Rennie appeared to play that down, stating that it was a minor ankle issue, but if it is worse than first feared, then the head coach may be forced to reassess his line-up.<\/p>\n Beauden Barrett\u2019s struggles<\/p>\n If he wants another playmaker to fill that shirt, he has Beauden Barrett available, but his form has been subpar in 2026.<\/p>\n The other clear option is Love<\/a> with Richie Mo\u2019unga, who has now joined up with the All Blacks<\/a> squad as a replacement for Billy Proctor, a possibility for fly-half.<\/p>\n Rennie\u2019s alternative is to put someone like Will Jordan at full-back and keep the 25-year-old in the key decision-making role.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t take Ruben out of 10, this guy has been mucked around for the last two or three years, he wants to play at 10, he\u2019s spoken about it and you keep him at 10,\u201d Dagg said on Sport Nation\u2019s Scotty and Izzy show.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve got players that can come in and play 15 [if McKenzie isn\u2019t fit], Mo\u2019unga goes to the bench and adds that punch from the bench.\u201d<\/p>\n Barrett\u2019s displays this year have certainly complicated matters with the Blues man struggling against the Stormers on Friday.<\/p>\n Dagg defended him following that effort in Cape Town, but the former full-back believes that he won\u2019t be involved in the 23 for the start of the Test series.<\/p>\n \u201cThat [Stormers] was a tough game and he was just trying to get in there, and was just a little bit apprehensive potentially,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, I just say Ruben Love\u2019s playing unbelievably so you can\u2019t take that away from him, he\u2019s your starting 10, Damian can get in there and play as well.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone knows Beaudy is going to do most of his work supporting the players and getting them ready to take on the Springboks.\u201d<\/p>\n