Highlanders star reveals he misses overseas teams in Super Rugby as Trans-Tasman decision looms
Highlanders co-captain Ash Dixon says he misses playing overseas teams in Super Rugby as the future of the scheduled Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition hangs in the balance.
Speaking to media ahead of his side’s Super Rugby Aotearoa clash against the Hurricanes at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday, Dixon said it would be “great” to play the Australian franchises again after a year of frequently playing against Kiwi opposition.
“A little bit. I guess I am a bit,” the 32-year-old said when asked if he misses playing foreign teams. “It’s great playing the same guy six times a year and have a good chat to them, but I’m not in control of that. I can’t do a lot about it.
“I just get the opportunity to wear the jersey and I’ll take the most of that. The now for me is this weekend and the Canes.
“I’ve just got to do my best for that, but wouldn’t it be great if we got to play in the Trans-Tasman [competition] after this one, so fingers crossed it might happen, but if it doesn’t, we’ll just work with whatever it is.”
The last time the Highlanders played an offshore-based team was March 8 last year, when they lost 38-13 to the Bulls in Pretoria.
Under the tutelage of then-head coach Aaron Mauger, the southern club were then supposed to play the Jaguares in Buenos Aires the following week, but that fixture was cancelled in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Since then, the Highlanders and the other four New Zealand franchises have been pitted against each other in a domestic competition that is nearing the halfway stage of its second season.
The five Australian teams have also been duking it out in their own Super Rugby AU competition, but a six-week Trans-Tasman competition has been scheduled to kick-off in May in the hope of ending Super Rugby’s drought of cross-border fixtures.
A travel bubble between the two nations is expected to be announced on April 6, more than a month before the Trans-Tasman competition’s opening fixture between the Highlanders and Reds in Dunedin on May 14.
Provided the virus doesn’t flare up in New Zealand or Australia over the coming weeks, as it has done over the past couple of months, Dixon’s thirst for more diverse opponents looks likely to be quenched.
Further additions of overseas-based teams is also expected next year, with prospective Pacific Island sides Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua both receiving multi-million dollar funding from World Rugby earlier this week in anticipation of their inclusions in a new-look, 12-team Super Rugby competition.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie thinks the quality of Australian Super Rugby has improved and is keen for the Trans-Tasman competition to go ahead as planned. #SuperRugbyAU #SuperRugbyAotearoa https://t.co/rD1xkIIuQB
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 26, 2021
Reports suggest both teams could be granted licences to compete in Super Rugby by the end of next month, which is good news for Dixon, who believes his Highlanders side are in good stead to face those teams and their Australian counterparts over the coming seasons.
He said that, despite an inconsistent start to this season and a lacklustre campaign in 2020, the Dunedin-based franchise are moving in the right direction of realising their potential, as evidenced by the retention of multiple key players.
Star halfback and fellow co-captain Aaron Smith announced his recommitment to the club earlier this month by signing a two-year contract extension with the Highlanders and New Zealand Rugby in a deal that will see him through to the 2023 World Cup.
That was followed by confirmation that Smith’s understudy Folau Fakatava and highly-rated lock Pari Pari Parkinson have also re-signed with the Highlanders, which Dixon said was an indication of how well the organisation is operating behind the scenes.
“I guess with Pari signing again and Aaron and Folau staying around, we’re starting to hold some guys. We’re not really going the best that we probably want to be in, but it just shows that our environment and intentions are in the right direction,” he said.
“We’ve just got to try do more talking on the field and get our execution in the right place to get some more wins under the belt.”
Highlanders head coach Tony Brown echoed Dixon’s sentiments as he labelled the retention of those three players as a “massive compliment” to the franchise.
“I think the Highlanders have always been a quality team to play for and Aaron has definitely made this his home and it’s a massive compliment to the organisation that guys like Aaron and Folau and Pari want to re-sign and strive to make this team better,” Brown said.
For a team that is so often accused of being overhyped, a second straight defeat could see those accusations return for the Blues. #SuperRugbyAotearoa #CHIVBLU https://t.co/7OJX9BZXoh
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 25, 2021
Keeping Smith on the club’s books was a particularly significant achievement given the influence he has among his peers and the stature he has within the sport.
The 97-test All Black has been named to start in Friday’s match, and, in doing so, he will make his 154th appearance for the Highlanders, breaking Ben Smith’s record of most matches for the franchise.
Dixon, who last year played his 100th Super Rugby match against the Hurricanes in the same fixture that Smith made his 150th outing for the Highlanders, lathered his co-skipper in prise ahead of his milestone match.
“It’s a phenomenal achievement for a guy who’s world-class. Really, really pumped for him,” Dixon said.
“Really stoked at what he’s given to the club, and, myself, I’ve known him for a very long time and I feel really privileged to be able to operate with him with the team and just so excited for him, and I know he’s absolutely buzzing.
“Just got to try and keep a lid on it for him before game time. He’s like Jack and the Beanstalk, he’s so pumped about it, so really proud of him and what he’s done for the community.”
Kick-off for the Highlanders’ clash against the Hurricanes is scheduled for 7:05pm on Friday NZT.
Comments on RugbyPass
There’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to comments