The most gainfully employed third-string hooker in this year's Super Rugby competition, Dixon has been given the starting rake's role for the Magpies in Sunday's shield challenge against the Otago Razorbacks in the Forsyth Barr Stadium. Former Junior All Black hooker Ged Robinson had the start in last week's 24-20 loss to the Bay of Plenty Steamers.
"I'm pretty stoked. I've got a lot of respect for Ged and we push each other for a starting spot. We know whether we're two or 16 we've both got a job to do," Dixon, who has just signed a 2014 Hurricanes contract, said.
The tussle between Robinson and Dixon for game time brings back memories of the battle Dixon had with former Magpies and All Black hooker Hika Elliot during the 2008 and 09 seasons before Dixon headed to Auckland for the 2010 and 11 seasons in search of more game time and last year. Elliot dominated the minutes back then.
"Hika and I competed pretty hard for the No2 jersey but he was an All Black. Ged is a different player to Hika," two-time world junior age group champion Dixon said.
Dixon will mark Highlanders hooker Liam Coltman, 23, who has already spent time in the All Blacks' wider training group. The pair have already marked each other at Super Rugby and ITM Cup levels.
"Liam is a pretty good player particularly at scrum time and on defence. Ged and I have an opportunity to give him a good crack and work hard for the team."
Sunday's match will be Dixon's fifth shield challenge. He had two with Auckland and, like in his two with the Magpies last year, finished on the wrong side of the ledger.
"I would be humbled if we could bring the shield back to the Bay," he added.
Mikayla and Paiyton have been visiting relatives in Christchurch this week and will be at the stadium on Sunday. They are doing their bit in the buildup to a possible shield celebration photo ... in two days' time Dixon and his teammates will have the opportunity to do theirs in what is the Magpies' best opportunity to secure New Zealand's most prestigious inter-provincial rugby trophy in more than four decades.
Dixon is one of two members of the Magpies team who celebrate a birthday on Sunday. Fitness trainer Grant Dearns turns 49.
With almost 10 years of service to the Magpies, Dearns is one of several blokes in the Magpies' environment who deserves to taste the spoils associated with Ranfurly Shield glory. His former deputy, Karl Bloxham, did that with the Razorbacks last weekend.
Magpies head coach Craig Philpott said Dixon and Robinson were playing well but he felt Dixon was the better choice for the clash with the Razorbacks. Philpott pointed out his troops were extremely focused during trainings this week.
"We've got the opportunity to beat the No1 team in the championship and secure the top berth. For us this is more important than the shield."
Philpott will announce his team after training today. Apart from Dixon and Robinson swapping roles there are unlikely to be other changes to the pack and the same starting backline used during the past two weeks is expected to be used again.
However, with All Black Ben Franks arriving in the province yesterday he is likely to be on the bench and if Maori All Black and Hurricanes openside flanker Karl Lowe can pass a fitness test this afternoon he is likely to join Franks on the pine.
