Rugby: Elliot Dixon gets first start of the season for Highlanders

Elliot Dixon was a force in the Highlanders' win over the Crusaders. Photo / Photosport

After a man of the match performance off the bench in the Highlanders' win over the Crusaders last week, Elliot Dixon has earned his first start of the season.

Dixon will take the place of the injured Liam Squire in the No.6 jersey for the side's clash against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday night.

Dixon was one of two new faces in the Highlanders starting side for the match, with young prop Tyrel Lomax earning the start at tighthead prop.

The Highlanders led the New Zealand conference heading into the match, leading the Hurricanes and Crusaders by three points. The Crusaders, however, had played one more game than their counterparts.

"We know that it's going to be a really tough game this weekend against the Hurricanes," halfback Aaron Smith said. "The Crusaders were really tough, but if you saw what the Hurricanes did to the Crusaders a couple of weeks ago, we're going to have to raise our game a bit more if we even want to get near the 'Canes."

Smith will be in the thick of one of the key individual match-ups in the games, squaring off against All Blacks teammate TJ Perenara, who would be playing his 100th match for the Hurricanes.

"TJ's probably the most competitive guy I've met and he's a very hard guy to play against. But, when I've played these games, the more you try focus on the one-on-ones, you take yourself away from the game, so I'll be trying to do my job as best I can for my team and try not to worry about him too much. But you've always got to keep an eye on him," Smith said.

"Don't win the battle; win the war."

Highlanders: Daniel Lienert-Brown, Liam Coltman, Tyrel Lomax, Jackson Hemopo, Tom Franklin, Elliot Dixon, Dillon Hunt, Luke Whitelock, Aaron Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Tevita Li, Teihorangi Walden, Rob Thompson, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith (cc). Reserves: Ash Dixon (cc), Aki Seiuli, Siate Tokolahi, Shannon Frizell, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Kayne Hammington, Josh Ioane, Matt Faddes.