Rugby: Dixon to focus on job at hand

Ash Dixon, a two-time world champion with New Zealand age group teams, was outstanding for the Hurricanes towards the end of the Super season. Photo / Duncan Brown

Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby hooker Ash Dixon has been on an emotional rollercoaster in the countdown to tonight's ITM Cup Championship final against the Tasman Makos in Nelson.

Dixon admitted to being a "little disappointed" when he was not named on Tuesday in the initial Maori All Blacks team to play Canada and the United States next month. However, there was a distinctive change in his tone after yours truly contacted him yesterday to inform him he was a late replacement for injured Canterbury rake Corey Flynn, and joins fellow Magpies Ihaia West and Zac Guildford in the national side.

"I'm pretty pumped now. To represent my family in the Maori All Blacks is pretty special to me ... it's what we are about. I'm over the moon and my parents are too, especially mum," Dixon said referring to his mother Karoria, a member of Waikato's Ngati Tahinga tribe.

"Nothing changes in terms of the final. We've still got a job to do and the celebrating can wait until after the game," Dixon said.

Dixon, a two-time world champion with New Zealand age group teams, was outstanding for the Hurricanes towards the end of the Super season and has continued this form with the Magpies. He has heard the talk in Nelson suggesting the Magpies' fifth trip to the South Island ("It's a pity we don't get airpoints for these trips," quipped Magpies manager Neil Weber when revealing the stat) this season, two more than the previous most, may be one too many. "Makos fans can think whatever they like. This is a one-off game and anything can happen. The excitement levels within our squad are turned up and the boys are raring to go. We've all got points to prove," Dixon said.

He still has plenty of respect for the Makos who he agreed had set the benchmark this season. "During our last visit to Nelson we learned the Makos like to use the ball and they boast good athletes across the park. However, during the last two weeks we have made big strides with our defence and we can defend for long periods."

Dixon, 25, has emerged as a serious contender for the Magpies' captaincy next year. He said if it was offered to him and he had the respect of the other players he would consider it.

"At the end of the day, getting the Magpies back up to the premiership where we should be is the priority." Dixon was full of praise for the input fellow Magpies hooker Ged Robinson has had in his success this year.

"Ged has played a lot of Super games. Like Hika [former Magpies hooker Hika Elliot] and I used to, Ged and I work well together on and off the field. We both know whether we get the No2 jersey or the No16 jersey we've got a job to do. I'm looking forward to catching up with my old mate Hika on the Maori All Black team's tour," Dixon said.

Before yesterday's news, Dixon's main motivational fuel for the final was giving Karl Lowe, in his 100th first class outing for the side, and Mike Coman winning send-offs. Now he can also prove he should have been an original selection in the Maori All Blacks.

"Lowey was in the team when I played my first game for the Magpies. He is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet off the field ... a real family man. I'm stoked to be playing alongside him in his 100th."

"Moo [Coman] is the heart and soul of the pack. He puts his body on the line in every game as all his strapping will tell you."

Magpies second five-eighth Andrew Horrell will be given until this afternoon to prove he has recovered from his leg injury. If he fails a fitness test, Adam Bradey will start in the No12 jersey and French import Regis Lespinas will replace Bradey on the subs bench.

Captain and blindside flanker Coman has recovered from his knee injury and will start in his final outing for the side, before beginning a two-year contract with Scotland's Edinburgh club. Winger Penikolo Latu has been given the No11 jersey ahead of Mikey Vuicakau, who replaces Latu on the subs bench.

This indicates Magpies backs coach Danny Lee believes Latu's superior physicality will prove more beneficial against powerful former All Black Sevens player Bryce Heem. There is another horses for courses scenario with Tony Lamborn replacing Mark Atkins. Magpies head coach Craig Philpott feels Lamborn's defensive impact off the bench will be more beneficial in what he is expecting to be a tight arm wrestle rather than an open entertaining high scoring affair.

Apart from loosie Tevita Koloamatangi, who failed a concussion test, the Makos will be at full strength.