© Dave Rowland

Injured Crusaders full-back Israel Dagg is targeting a return to action through Christchurch club rugby in April.

The 49-Test All Blacks back ended a horror 2015 with a dislocated shoulder from Hawke's Bay's Ranfurly Shield defence against Auckland last September.

Dagg, who attended New Zealand's Super Rugby season launch in Auckland on Tuesday, is upbeat about how his comeback from the injury is progressing.

"I reckon I'm about 80 per cent," he said.

"There is about six weeks left, so I can top up that last 20."

Dagg said he joined up with the Crusaders at the end of November so had got a big pre-season under his belt.

"I've been able to work on everything, like my skills, which I probably haven't worked on for a while," he said.

"It's been awesome. I've really enjoyed it. Now it's just that timing. You want to get out there, you want to train, to run around with the boys. You want to play some games and have some fun."

Injuries restricted Dagg's participation in last year's Super Rugby, when the seven-time champions missed the play-offs for the first time since 2001.

A 2011 Rugby World Cup winner, he then suffered the huge disappointment of not making the All Blacks squad for the defence of the trophy.

"Last year was last year - I've put that behind me," he said.

"I'm just looking forward to the future and this year. I've given myself two years to try and get back into that jersey. If it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen."

Dagg, 27, is entering his eighth Super Rugby season, the first two of which were with the Highlanders.

He is one of the experienced hands in a Crusaders squad whose losses have included two All Blacks centurions in the retired Richie McCaw and France-based Dan Carter.

He said he won't really alter his approach, although there was a greater onus to lead with his actions.

"I think the main thing for me is, if I'm going to talk now, I have to do the walk," he said.

"So just train and play well, and that's how people are going to follow you."