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.”
The Short Ball discuss draws in Super Rugby:
Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to comments