Israel Dagg

Franks and Dagg finally back for Crusaders

The pair have been named in the Crusaders starting lineup for Saturday night's match against the Japanese side the Sunwolves.

Prop Franks makes his return from an Achilles injury and Dagg a knee injury with the pair not having played since September.

Dagg will start on the right wing.

Regular skipper All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock has been rested with fellow with fellow All Black Matt Todd to lead the side.

The Chiefs have made four changes to their starting lineup for their match against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Saturday night.

Israel Dagg out for season

That was the positive spin being put on the latest injury update provided by All Blacks coach Steve Hansen before his team's departure for their away Rugby Championship match in Buenos Aires against Argentina.

Hansen confirmed Dagg was his fourth player to have his season ended prematurely with his ongoing knee problems, but said the overall prognosis was much better than was originally feared.

Dagg's rugby year appears over

The 29-year-old injured his knee for the Crusaders in early March and required an operation, only returning to the field in late May.

He went on to play all three British and Irish Lions Tests, as well as a protagonist's role in the Crusaders' Super Rugby triumph, but was rested from the All Blacks' two Bledisloe Cup Tests against Australia.

Characterising his knee niggle as a case of "old man syndrome" last week, Dagg went on to play just fewer than 50 minutes in Saturday's 39-22 win over Argentina.

But the issue appears more serious than Dagg intimated.

Dagg back as Crusaders ring changes

He's been named on the wing for Saturday's clash with the Rebels in Melbourne.

The outside back played a half game of club rugby a fortnight ago and declared himself fit to play for the Crusaders, but he was left out of last weekend's win over the Chiefs in Suva.

Dagg hasn't played Super Rugby since March after injuring his knee against the Reds and now has two games to prove his match fitness before the All Blacks first test of the year against Samoa.

Dagg's Crusaders return on hold

Dagg travelled with the team to Suva but will only take part in promotional activities.

The 28-year-old outside back had a knee operation in mid-March but played 40 minutes of club rugby last weekend and declared himself ready to resume playing for the Crusaders.

Coach Scott Robertson disagreed and left him out of the match in Suva, where the Crusaders will be looking to retain their perfect record this season with a 12th consecutive win.

All Black Dagg will stay in NZ

RNZ reports Dagg made the announcement on social media.

"I've decided to stick around in New Zealand for the next three years and do my time with the Crusaders."

It means he will be available for the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

The 28-year-old has re-signed with New Zealand Rugby, the Crusaders and Hawke's Bay Magpies through to 2019, spurning offers from overseas.

Ben Smith's future 'in the balance' as NZ Rugby could lose two of big three

Now there is a very real possibility two of those three high-profile stars will leave these shores by the end of this year.

It is enough to make the All Blacks coach sit up in his summer deckchair. Should that scenario eventuate, it would again create cause for concern around the vulnerability of elite New Zealand players.

Where previously NZ Rugby have been "quietly confident" of keeping the likes of All Blacks captain Kieran Read, Owen Franks and Beauden Barrett, when it comes to Smith indications are his decision remains very much "in the balance".

NZ Rugby moves to keep Smith, Dagg and Cruden in New Zealand

RNZ reports the union has tabled its final deals for Ben Smith, Israel Dagg and Aaron Cruden, and says it will give them the time they need to make a decision.

The trio's contracts end after the British and Irish Lions tour in June and all three have received lucrative offers to join French clubs.

While conceding New Zealand Rugby would never be able to match the big money bids from overseas, NZR chief executive Steve Tew said they had done all they could to retain the services of the three key backs.