Ironman Dixon ready for the Tahs
Elliot Dixon’s high numbers offer an insight into what makes the Highlanders’ blue collar forward pack such a brutal force in Super Rugby.
He doesn’t sit in the pantheon of New Zealand rugby’s rock stars, but blindside flanker Dixon’s workaholic attitude may give Waratahs coach Michael Cheika something extra to ponder ahead of the semifinal in Sydney on Saturday night.
Dixon has played in all 17 Highlanders’ games this season, 13 in a starter’s jersey, and his 1100 minutes are the most recorded by any of the Highlanders’ forwards.
The New Zealand Maori representative is also his side’s top tackler (153), and second to No8 Nasi Manu as the busiest ball carrier in the pack.
Rather than have a whinge about the heavy workload, Dixon, who joined the Highlanders in 2012, harks back to the days when he struggled to get selected.
‘‘I haven’t really looked at the numbers, but I can feel 1100 minutes on the body. It’s a bit different than in other years when I have only played four or five games. It’s been good fun.’’
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph’s desire to run his players hard at training was almost the stuff of legend when he first took over in 2011, but in recent seasons he has mellowed enough to listen to his players and know when to not pull so tight on the reins.
Joseph, who must be stoked at the way Dixon has developed in recent years, even gave his team the day off on Monday after they beat the Chiefs 24-14 in their quarterfinal in Dunedin.
Looking at the Highlanders’ pack on paper, you wonder how they were able to have the physical edge over a Chiefs eight that included All Blacks Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane, Hika Elliot and Liam Messam.
The southern band of brothers, says Dixon, know they have had a point to prove all season. And perhaps to thank Joseph for putting his trust in them.
‘‘I think we have all just got chips on our shoulders; most of us come from other provinces because we either haven’t been selected or moved away to get an opportunity at the Highlanders,’’ Dixon explains.
‘‘We just came down here and bonded together pretty quickly. We just go out there and want to make a name for ourselves and the region. We are having fun as a 23 and hope we can keep on winning.’’
Dixon, who was born and raised in Christchurch and now plays for Southland, accepts teams tread a fine line when trying to counter opponents who try to bully them into submission.
When the Chiefs tried to play the role of being the wide boys, the Highlanders players sailed into action as a mob to ensure no liberties were taken.
Cheika is sure to encourage his forwards to test the New Zealanders to see whether they have the appetite for what could be a rugged encounter.
Whatever happens, says Dixon, the Highlanders are determined to not flip their lids and give away needless penalties.
‘‘We had a chat about that. At this time of the year three points can make the difference. It’s pretty much test-match rugby from here on in.
‘‘We don’t really want to give away any penalties and sometimes there is a bit of niggle because it is such a physical game and both sides want to win. It happens and you just want to get on with it.’’
Joseph has made just one change, replacing injured openside flanker Dan Pryor with James Lentjes.