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Ash Dixon confirms Highlanders exit

Ash Dixon. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)

Highlanders co-captain and veteran hooker Ash Dixon has confirmed that he is leaving the Super Rugby franchise.

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Dixon is heading to Japan on a two-year deal to play in the new Japanese League One competition which begins in January 2022.

The 32-year-old brought up his 100th game for the Highlanders in the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final against the Blues. He began his Super Rugby career with the Hurricanes, before joining the Highlanders in 2015 as Highlander #228.

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Will Jordan named to start for the All Blacks in second Beldisloe against the Wallabies

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Will Jordan named to start for the All Blacks in second Beldisloe against the Wallabies

“He has been an integral part of the club since his arrival, he has significant mana within the team and has put an enormous amount of work into our organisation,” Highlanders CEO Roger Clark said. “He goes with our good wishes and gratitude.”

Highlanders Head Coach Tony Brown said: “Ash will be remembered as one of the great Highlander’s men; his contribution to the club both on and off the field has been immense, as co-captain he has been the ultimate professional and we wish him, Mikayla, Paiyton and Boston all the very best with this fantastic opportunity.”

Dixon has co-captained the side with halfback Aaron Smith over the past few seasons and has been one of the clubs most consistent performers, possessing one of the best lineout throws in the game.

Dixon said it was a difficult decision to leave.

“I’ve put a lot of thought into it and it was not an easy decision for myself and my family to make, I’ve had some incredibly great times with the team, and I will cherish them forever.”

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He also paid tribute to the Highlanders supporters.

“The fans have been absolutely incredible the love and kindness shown to me and my family has been amazing, and we will be forever grateful, thank you all so much.”

New Zealand Rugby General Manager Professional Rugby & Performance Chris Lendrum said Dixon occupied a unique place in the rugby wh?nau.

“Ash’s achievements speak to his character. He leaves as one of the most capped M?ori All Blacks captains of all time, and a leader of huge influence for both the Highlanders and Hawke’s Bay.

“He is a Super Rugby champion and a Ranfurly Shield holder, but more importantly he personifies the values of Te Ara Rangatira, The Rugby Way. We wish him and his whanau all the best in Japan and he goes with our full support.”

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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