All Blacks utility back Israel Dagg made a try-scoring return to action for Hawke's Bay as the Magpies crushed Bay of Plenty 32-13 in the national provincial rugby championship match in Rotorua tonight.
Dagg will fly to South Africa tomorrow along with winger Zac Guildford, to combine with the rest of the All Blacks squad for their Tri-Nations test against the Springboks next Saturday.
He and Guildford, who grabbed two tries, were both prominent as Hawke's Bay, despite a dearth of possession in the first half, had too much attacking ability for their premiership opponents.
Aside from Dagg's try, three minutes after coming on as a replacement in the 30th minute, halfback Kahn Fotuali'i dotted down in the first half and second five-eighths Andrew Horrell's boot ensured the visitors took a 17-3 into the break.
Guildford benefitted from Dagg's pace to grab a try late in the second half and added a second after the final whistle for a precious bonus point win.
Dagg ruptured a tendon in his right thigh playing for the Crusaders in the Super 15 in May and has been out of top level rugby since then, but he has been given a chance by the All Blacks selectors to press his claims for a spot in the rugby World Cup squad named on August 23.
He showed no ill effects from the injury as he loomed up inside lock Kane Thompson after the Samoan international burst upfield and then showed his pace to run in unopposed from 40 metres out.
Earlier, Fotuali'i got the reward for a bullocking start from the Magpies, fresh after eight days off, to cross under the posts in the fourth minute.
But despite their early dominance, the hosts took control after that to enjoy 75 percent of possession in the half, but a combination of rugged defence and poor handling from the province marking their centenary tonight restricted them to a penalty from first five-eighths Daniel Waenga.
Horrell was hit in head high tackle from former Wallaby Steve Kefu as the half drew to a close and the 31-year-old was lucky to stay on the field, but the Magpies midfielder shook off the knock to land a penalty - one of his four successful kicks.
He and Waenga traded penalties in the second half but Bay of Plenty, who lost inspirational No 8 Colin Bourke to injury at halftime and livewire winger Lelia Masaga shortly after the resumption, rarely looked likely to get back into the match.
Guildford's first try with eight minutes left put the game beyond the hosts and Luke Braid managed a consolation try, before Guildford darted over late on to secure his second try and the bonus point for the championship side.
