A switch to the back for Dagg will see Magpies' teammate Zac Guildford taking his place on the left wing, and it will be something for coach Todd Blackadder to seriously consider given the Crusaders' loss to the Highlanders and the Chiefs' remarkable victory over the Blues in round two.
Tom Marshall has been the Crusaders' fullback for the first two games, with Guildford beginning Saturday's match in Dunedin on the reserves bench after serving a one-game suspension for his drinking exploits in Rarotonga.
Fielding the strongest possible line-up assumes greater importance given the Chiefs' form last weekend. Another contentious decision - starting All Blacks' tighthead prop Owen Franks on the bench for the first two rounds - could also get a re-think.
Dagg admitted today that the main reason for his starting in the number 11 jersey was a lack of confidence in his right leg following his injury last season - a torn quadriceps muscle while kicking for touch which put his World Cup participation in doubt.
His hesitation in clearing cost the Crusaders an early try in round one against the Blues when his kick was charged down, but Dagg said that lack of confidence was no longer an issue.
"I wasn't confident about it [before the Blues]. I didn't really want to risk it, but I have been confident in the last couple of weeks. I've been practising kicking and I'm back to normal now,'' he said.
"I'm hoping to play at fullback but I just have to play where I'm selected.''
If Dagg does get the nod at the back ahead of Marshall, who looked rattled against the Highlanders - particularly after being dumped by Hosea Gear - he will be in a perfect position to assess a defence which was poor in Dunedin.
The normally dependable Crusaders' line was breached time and again by Jamie Joseph's men who put on a stirring display in their first game at their new indoor stadium.
"We talked about that today,'' Dagg said. "It was more of an attitude thing and we'll be working on that this week. We had a bad day and you can't afford that in this competition.''
If they need any pointers the Crusaders would do worse than look at the way the Chiefs prepared for the Blues. Hurt by injury and stung by talk of a weak tight five, they dismantled their big-city opposites, scoring a four-try bonus point in the first half despite torrential rain.
The match at McLean Park is considered a Crusaders "home game'', as their new stadium isn't scheduled to be ready until their round five match against the Cheetahs.
