'Playing for the North is pretty special': North vs South stars explain New Zealand's 'unique' inter-island rivalry
As much as the All Blacks selectors have tried to downplay the glaring hints that suggest tomorrow’s North vs South clash is nothing more than a national trial, the inter-island spirit of the occasion hasn’t been lost on two of the fixture’s key players.
While it remains one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the rugby year, the 81st edition of this historic derby has drawn criticism from fans and pundits for its eligibility criteria that has seen players tied to one of the islands based on the first province they represented at Mitre 10 Cup level.
That’s led some to question the legitimacy of the North vs South ‘brand’, with numerous players representing the opposite island of which they originated.
Highlanders and Maori All Blacks hooker Ash Dixon is among those who fall under that category.
The 32-year-old was born and raised in Christchurch and is a product of the famed rugby nursery Christchurch Boys’ High School.
However, he was yesterday named on the bench for the North Island squad after having made his provincial debut for Hawke’s Bay in 2008.
Aside from a two-season spell with Auckland at the beginning of last decade, Dixon has remained loyal to the province that gave him his opening shot at first-class rugby, and it’s safe to assume that’s part of the reason he describes playing for the North as “special”.
“For me, I guess playing for the North is pretty special,” he told reporters on Friday.
“There’s guys that I’ve never played with before and so seeing their background and what makes them tick is quite cool for me, because, obviously, playing down South [for the Highlanders], I kind of get what they’re about and what they’re doing.
“Guys in the different parts of the region, especially around Auckland and the Chiefs, we’ve all got different identities and different things we’re about.
“I guess it’s just connecting with that and making sure I can offer something in that area, but also do what I’ve got to bring for the North.”
It’s a similar story but in opposite fashion for All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor, who hails from the North Island town of Levin, but started his professional rugby career in Christchurch with Canterbury and the Crusaders.
That in itself has instilled Taylor with plenty of pride in pulling on the white jersey of the South, which is where he and his young family still reside.
“I’ve got a good reason to play for the South. My wife’s from there, my kids were born in Christchurch and that’s what I’m trying to connect to this week,” he said.
“I’ll never forget that I’m from Levin or anything like that, but the opportunity to play in such a unique game is something that is pretty special to me, and I get to represent my family back in the South.”
For many of the up-and-coming or uncapped prospects taking part in the match, it presents an unprecedented opportunity of potential All Blacks selection, which will take place on the Sunday morning following the encounter.
That isn’t the case for Dixon, though, who made the surprising revelation that All Blacks selection isn’t on his radar, despite his uncapped status.
“No, it’s not actually,” he said when asked if a maiden All Blacks call-up has been weighing on his mind.
“I’ve just really enjoyed the week. I’m just really excited to play footy and play against some good players and play with some good players.
“That’s always the challenge. These games, playing with a lot of great talent around you, you’ve got to nail what you’ve got to do and I’m excited about that.
“That drives me and makes me want to go out there and be better.”
Comments on RugbyPass
A lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
3 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.
1 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…??? 🤑🤑🤑
2 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
2 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)
3 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?
2 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.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
21 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
21 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to commentsMake what step up? Manie has a World Cup winner’s medal around his neck and changed the way the Springboks can play. He doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone. The win record of the Boks with him in the team is tremendous. Sacha can be wonderful and I hope he has a very succesful Bok career, but comparing him to Manie in terms of the next Bok flyhalf is very strange. Manie is the incumbent (not the next) and doing pretty incredibly.
4 Go to comments