The Super Rugby marathon
HIGHLANDERS hooker Ash Dixon is slowly easing into his work — although his passport and suitcases have had a busy past six months.
Dixon started off the bench in the opening game of the season against the Chiefs and will again come off the pine tonight when the Reds come to town.
Dixon (30) missed most of the Mitre 10 Cup with Hawke’s Bay last year after he picked up a knee injury in the third round.
But he managed to get back and play for New Zealand Maori on its tour of the United States, Brazil and Chile.
That was followed by a trip to Japan, where he played a few games for the Panasonic Wild Knights, combined with a family holiday.
Then he rolled back into Dunedin to begin another season with the Highlanders, getting on in the dying minutes to help the Highlanders beat the Chiefs.
‘‘I was just happy to get back out there. I have had a few niggles of late, so I am just trying to get right. I’m not quite there yet, but I am just happy
to be part of the side and get my game in order,’’ he said.
‘‘I was always going to go to Japan. I wanted to go out there and enjoy the Japanese lifestyle [and] see if my family enjoyed it. For us it was really good, and we enjoyed a family holiday.’’
He said his knee was coming right and his arm was still a bit sore but was getting better.
Asked if this would be his last year with the Highlanders, Dixon, who joined the franchise in 2015, said he was not sure.
‘‘We’ll just have to wait and see. For me it is just take every game as it comes and play with a bit of pride and honour. I have not really thought about my future, but my family is a priority for me.’’