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Japanese side sign an All Black and a Crusaders midfielder

Elliot Dixon is heading to Japan.

The 28-year-old Highlanders loose forward is set to join Top League side Ricoh Black Rams at the conclusion of the Super Rugby season, essentially withdrawing his name from All Blacks contention.

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According to the Black Rams official website, three-time All Black Dixon will be joined by current Crusaders midfielder Tim Bateman, Waikato lock Jacob Skeen – both former Maori All Blacks – and Waratahs utility Bryce Hegarty.

Dixon last represented the All Blacks in 2016, and has since been usurped by the likes of Vaea Fifita in the All Blacks pecking order, though it’s possible he had a chance at re-selection in June following a slew of back row injuries to New Zealand players.

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All Blacks captain Kieran Read is set to miss the national side’s June test series against France as he recovers from back surgery, while Dixon’s Highlanders teammate Liam Squire likely won’t be available for the All Blacks’ first test of the year in early June after suffering a broken thumb.

Dixon will leave New Zealand as an accomplished flanker having represented both the All Blacks and Maori All Blacks. He is on track to reach 80 Super Rugby appearances – all with the Highlanders – by the end of the season.

Bateman, 30, will enjoy a third stint in Japan, having spent three seasons with the Fukuoka-based Coca-Cola Red Sparks in between his time with the Hurricanes and Crusaders.

Bateman previously represented New Zealand at the U19 and U21 level, and captained the Maori All Blacks for their North American Tour in 2013.

Former international players to represent the Ricoh Black Rams include Ma’a Nonu, Eroni Clarke, James Haskell and Stephen Larkham.

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J
JW 52 minutes ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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