Israel Dagg – a selfless, talented, humble, brilliant sportsman, gentleman and proud Lindisfarne Old Boy – was presented a well-earned Lindisfarne Honours tie at a special Assembly last week.

“It is a pleasure and privilege for our Lindisfarne College family to welcome and honour one of our few Old Boys who has worldwide recognition through being known by a single name – Izzy.

Israel Jamahl Akuhata Dagg, although born in Marton, grew up in Hastings and attended Hastings Intermediate where he attained among other things, an intimate knowledge of the solitary "naughty boys" desk parked outside the staffroom. Sixteen years ago he walked in the Lindisfarne gates as it has to be said, a somewhat reluctant Boarder. Peter and Horiana, his parents realised that their talented sporting son could be destined for a very different future should he remain on such a potentially risky life path. In many ways, his arrival at our College represented a major fork in the road over which Israel had been travelling. This was a priceless opportunity to work in a vastly different environment; Israel took it and flourished.

Israel suffered something of a culture shock upon his arrival but despite one or two teething problems, it was soon clear to all of us that here was a young man indeed blessed with sporting talents well above the ordinary. It is fair to say however that Israel, while involving himself wholeheartedly with all things sporting, did not really embrace the academic possibilities at our College. He did enough however, or arranged enough with his generous mates, to get by.

I could mention several stories about his time at Lindisfarne, and perhaps to jog Israel's memory I could allude to three: Laurent Simutoga's rage and the "borrowed” headphones, several times heading home without leave and having to be retrieved and being caught in the ceiling of Mitchell by Mr Bovey.

After starring for the Colts cricket team that I was fortunate enough to coach in Year 9, Mr Ellis was sufficiently persuaded of his cricket prowess to select him in the 1st XI as a year 10 in 2003. Israel was a beautiful fast bowler who was not only very quick but could do enough with the ball to beat the best. Such was his prowess as a cricketer that he amassed over 1300 runs and 150 odd wickets during his 4 years in the 1st XI.

In 2005 when the Australian cricketers were preparing for an ODI against NZ in Napier, local young fast bowlers were invited to bowl to the Australians in the nets. A speedball radar was set up with a prize for the fastest young bowler. To no ones' surprise among the cricket fraternity here, Israel won a bat and was clocked at a reported staggering 143 kph.

Selected for Central Districts Under 17, a potential first class cricket career beckoned but Rugby got in the way. Many astute cricket judges believed Israel had the potential to go right to the top in cricket.

Just as he starred on the cricket field as a junior however, so too was his startling potential as a rugby player being noticed. In 2003 I approached Peter and Horiana seeking permission to play Israel as a Year 10 in our 1st XV against Flaxmere College from the bench. Permission was reluctantly given as Mrs Dagg worried about whether he was too young. There is an old saying; “if you are good enough you are old enough". He was, and scored from the wing with his first touch of the ball. For good measure he also kicked 2 conversions.

So began his incredible career as a 1st XV player. I was fortunate enough to be coach of the team over the next four years and watched a boy of precocious rugby talent blossom into a schoolboy superstar. In the 51 matches he played for our 1st XV, Israel scored 52 tries (average 1 per game) and totalled 641 points (average 13 per game). The bald facts can in no way however illustrate what a superb contribution he made to his team. He gave confidence to those around him and his undiminished positive attitude to training and team morale, even when playing at a higher level, was inspirational.

I must mention one game of the 51 that will forever stay in my mind – Scots College in Wellington in 2005. Scots had a useful team, a superstar in Victor Vito, it was pouring with rain and blowing a gale-situation normal for mid-winter Wellington you might well say. Israel that day was sublime. We won 24-0 and Israel scored all 24 with 4 tries and 2 conversions. He literally walked on water that day and could do no wrong. Knowledgeable people at a higher level had braved the elements and not for the first time was muttered; "could be an All Black".

That comment is said of many brilliant schoolboy players but few have the ability to seek the constant improvement, persevere and remain grounded enough to fully take advantage of the rare opportunities presented. Luck plays a part but as the great golfer Gary Player was so­ wisely to have said, "the harder I practice the luckier I seem to get." Israel has always wanted to get better and beneath the happy go lucky exterior that the public sees, is a dedicated hardworking professional, constantly seeking to be a better player and person.

One of Israel's great regrets was that he was unable to join his teammates in the memorable unbeaten Lindisfarne UK rugby tour of 2006. The coach of the Magpies had approached us to discuss involving Israel in Magpies training with a view to getting him on the field as a sub in the odd game. After one training run that plan went out the window as it became obvious that here was a star in the making. Israel became the starting full back – the first schoolboy to represent the Magpies since 1994. He has since gone on to represent Hawke's Bay 50 times.

The rest is history. After his Super rugby debut for the Highlanders in 2009 for whom he played 25 times, Sir Graham Henry selected Israel to make his All Blacks debut against Ireland in New Plymouth. Israel thus became the fifth All Black from Lindisfarne; Mick Duncan, John Timu, Taine Randell and Campbell Johnstone having previously earned the rare honour in playing test match rugby. Israel has continued his Super Rugby career with the Crusaders for whom he has now played 84 times.

It is as an All Black however that Israel is arguably best known and his record speaks far more eloquently than I could possibly espouse. Rugby World Cup medal winner in 2011, 66 All Black caps (and still counting we all earnestly hope), 138 points (for a 92% winning record) and a tally of 223 first class matches. Through the past 9 years as a professional rugby player, Israel has suffered more than his share of injuries many of which have led to disappointment in non­ selection for the All Blacks. Form is temporary however, while class is permanent and we have all admired how determinedly Israel has bounced back from the disappointments of non-selection. Ironically he is only able to be with us today as another episode of non-selection occurs largely due to long term injury.

So the boy from Camberley, who some at previous school despaired of, has achieved fame far beyond even his wildest dreams. He has mixed with Royalty, Prime Ministers and world media super stars. He has 142,000 Twitter followers, 132,000 lnstagram followers and 115,000 Facebook likes which in many ways reflects the genuine affection with which Izzy is held all over the world.

Without the unswerving support of family it is of course difficult to succeed and Israel's greatest achievement arguably is his new family. Israel met Daisy, on a blind date for the College Ball in 2005. They have been together ever since and their proudest achievements are undoubtedly their two beautiful children, Arlo, the first-born son and just recently little Tilly who will surely be a preciously guarded daughter. Similarly without the love and support of Peter, Horiana his siblings and wider whanau, Israel would not have received the start he got.

The yearning for privacy that all high-profile sportspeople crave, can now be found in the love and trust of both his vast whanau and the loving family he and Daisy are creating. It is through such a stable loving and supportive family that Israel can continue doing what he loves with such positivity, realism and honesty.

Far more than the chronicled sporting achievements of which we are all so proud however, are the personal qualities that make Israel the outstanding man he is. Throughout our lives, we are all faced from time to time by both opportunities and challenges. Through living so much of his life as a high-profile sportsperson, Israel has had to deal with his challenges often in the unmerciful gaze of the public eye. It is not the setbacks that define us however, but how we react to them. Being able to accept the setbacks with such dignity, then come back and move on so positively is one of the hallmarks of Israel and one of the reasons he has been so successful as an All Black, father, husband, son and friend to so many.

It is to Israel's everlasting credit that throughout his very public journey he has remained true to himself. He has never forgotten where he came from or who has helped him reach the heights he has. He has remained unfailingly polite and courteous to all with whom he comes into contact and is still, despite the fame and adulation, the fun loving, good humoured, straightforward man that those of us here at Lindisfarne were privileged to work with and recall so fondly as a promising young man. He lives up to the adage- "at the end of the game the kings and the pawns go back in the same box. "

Throughout the hours of relentless practice, the stress of high stakes rugby at the very highest level, Israel has retained his sense of fun and humour. It is no accident that Israel is among the most sought after All Blacks to make advertisements. Perhaps one of the best is Israel's game of "cricket golf" that he played with the equally outrageously talented Kiwi golfer, Lydia Ko. Israel still claims that he invented the game.

It is with pride and pleasure therefore that I present this selfless, talented, humble, brilliant sportsman, gentleman and proud Lindisfarne Old Boy as a recipient of a well-earned Lindisfarne Honours tie. Ladies and gentlemen- Israel Dagg.”

Presented by Mr Grant Gilbert, retired Lindisfarne teacher and 1st XV Rugby Coach.

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Article added: Wednesday 06 November 2019