All Black loose forward Dixon set to reach significant milestone with Highlanders
Highlanders loose forward Elliot Dixon will join an elite group of players when he brings up his 100th Investec Super Rugby game against the Jaguares on Saturday night.
Dixon will become just the sixth player to play 100 games for the Highlanders when he runs on to Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, following in the footsteps of current co-captain Ben Smith, Anton Oliver, Jimmy Cowan, Chris King and most recently, Aaron Smith.
“I’ve been very fortunate and privileged to play for this club for nine years, my entire Super Rugby career, and while bringing up my 100th game in Super Rugby means a lot, it’s the enjoyment I’ve had over the last decade and being able to come to work with a smile on face every day that means the most,” Dixon said.
“Dunedin, and Mosgiel, is mine and my family’s home, we love it and I love playing my rugby here.”
The 29-year-old Southlander has become a firm fan favourite with the Highlanders faithful since making his debut against the Brumbies in 2012 and has scored 12 Investec Super Rugby tries.
The St Bede’s College old-boy’s combative, skilful and athletic style has seen him play in all three loose forward positions for the Highlanders. His form was recognised by the national selectors when he played three Test matches for the All Blacks in 2016, while he has been a regular Maori All Blacks representative since 2012.
Highlanders’ Life Member and Coach from 1998-99, Tony Gilbert, will present Dixon with a specially made pounamu mere at the end of the match against the Jaguares. The mere is the traditional NZR gift to players who reach 100 competition games for New Zealand teams.
NZR Chief Rugby Officer Nigel Cass said players like Dixon were a crucial part of the fabric of Investec Super Rugby.
“Elliot’s dedication, commitment, and loyalty has been admirable. He has represented the Highlanders for nine seasons, played at a consistently high level and been a great advocate for his club and the competition both on and off the field.”
Highlanders Head Coach Aaron Mauger said few players were more deserving of joining the 100-club than Dixon: “To play 100 Super Rugby games for one club is an awesome effort, the fact that he is still demanding selection through his current form speaks volumes for Elliot and his attitude to the game. I’m sure the boys will want to put out an effort worthy of this milestone for him this weekend.”
Born in Christchurch, Dixon came through Canterbury’s age-grade system and was a member of the New Zealand Under 20s squad before deciding to play his provincial rugby for the Southland Stags in the Mitre 10 Cup.
Highlanders Chief Executive Roger Clark said: “I’ve always been an admirer of the way Elliot has played the game, whether it was for Southland, the Highlanders or the All Blacks. To reach 100 games is a mighty effort and I am sure it will be a proud day for Elliot, his wife Paige and kids, Huxley and Toby.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
No Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
5 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
5 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
18 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
18 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to comments