Dixon has plenty of incentive

LEADER OF THE PACK: Waikohu No.8 Tapu Dixon is leading the race for the premier division’s Most Valuable Player award. Picture by Paul Rickard

WAIKOHU are out of contention for a place in the premier rugby playoffs heading into tomorrow’s final round-robin clash against Pirates at the Oval.

But Aon Waikohu’s goalkicking No.8, Tapu Dixon, has 1000 reasons to produce a man-of-the-match performance.

Dixon leads the Most Valuable Player points table with 21, one more than YMP loosie Willis Tamatea.

With no points being awarded during the semifinals, tomorrow’s game will decide whether Dixon or Tamatea collects the $1000 cheque for first place.

Four players — Ethine Reeves (OBM first five-eighth, 16pts), Devonte Martin (Pirates utility back, 16), Paddy Allen (Ngatapa flanker, 15) and Lynden Manuel (OBM loosie, 13) are also in the running for third-place prizemoney.

Waikohu coach Tahi Hiroki said if anyone deserved to win the MVP award, it was Dixon.

“He’s had a fantastic season,” Hiroki said.

“His contribution over many years has been huge. He’s a good trainer and a great motivator, and he leads by example.

“We’re lucky to have players like Tapu, Geoff Pari and Toru Noanoa, who are all leaders.

“If Tapu won the award, he’d be the first to admit that without his teammates he wouldn’t be in a position to win it.”

“But tomorrow’s match is not about Tapu. The boys want to end the season with a win . . . just as I’m sure Pirates want to do the same.”

Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates coach Steve Smith agreed.

“This is our last chance to get a win this season,” he said.

“We weren’t far behind the other teams in the first two rounds and could have picked up the odd win here and there, but scores have blown out in Round 3.

“Scoring 22 points against YMP last week gave the players a lift and having Everard Reid (lock/loosie) back for this game is a bonus.”

Reid was Pirates man of the match in each of his three games after he transferred from Hawke’s Bay before being injured.

“Not only is he a good player, he’s got a lot of experience,” Smith said.

Pirates have struggled all season with injuries but 19-year-old Devonte Martin has been ever-present.

He joined Pirates from East Coast side Tawhiti and was rewarded for outstanding performances with a place in the Poverty Bay side against the New Zealand Universities and Ngati Porou East Coast.

Barring injury, Martin looks certain to be named in the Bay’s Heartland squad.

“He’s a good kid,” Smith said.

“He never misses training and is always willing to learn. He’s still got some things to learn but he has potential to go a long way.”

Tip Jones (winger), another recruit from Tawhiti, returns to the side after dislocating a thumb.

“Tip was in good form before the injury but it didn’t stop him from training so he’s pretty fit,” Smith said.