Cost of insuring Dixon means he's unlikely to play

Elliot Dixon in action for Southland in 2017. Photo: Getty Images
Elliot Dixon in action for Southland in 2017. Photo: Getty Images
Former All Black and Highlanders centurion Elliot Dixon is unlikely to feature in a playing capacity for Southland this season.

Stags coach Dave Hewett said the cost of insuring the rangy loose forward was prohibitive.

Dixon, who has played 65 games for Southland since making his debut in 2010, has signed with Ricoh in Japan. But he had hoped to get a run for his provincial side in the Mitre 10 Cup to maintain his fitness.

But his contribution looks set to be limited to a leadership role, if that.

"I don't believe we'll be able to get him on the field," Hewett said.

"It is simply because of the premium required to insure him.

"Those types of insurances are very expensive. It just gets to the point of almost lunacy about how much you would actually pay to have him on the field.

"So we are working on how we'll get him down, from a leadership point of view. But we are just working through that. Whether anything comes of it, I guess time will tell on that one."

Dixon's skills would have come in handy in Oamaru tomorrow. Southland and Canterbury are meeting halfway between the two provinces for a pre-season game.

It will be a daunting challenge for Southland. The Stags have not won a Mitre 10 match in two years and Canterbury is as tough an opponent as you can get.

But Hewett is looking forward to the opportunity. It is his last chance to see what his players offer before the team hosts Northland in its season opener in Invercargill next Thursday.

"It is good for us because it allows us to know where we stand.

"People will read into the score but it is irrelevant in my book. We want to give a good account of ourself in every outing but these games are about getting better.

"It we can implement our plan I'll be happy."

Hewett said the pre-season had been far from ideal. Southland played a Pacific Island XV on Saturday and recorded a 82-14 win near Winton.

"They did not have a lot of preparation time, so it was good to get a run, but they did not pressure us as much as we would like."

"It [the pre-season] was not as comprehensive as we would have liked but it is a reality of rugby at this level. Cost is a major factor in the production of it and all the provinces are having to mind their pennies."

Meeting Canterbury halfway in Oamaru is an example of that.

There are three Dunedin club players in the side - Green Island midfield duo Ray Nu'u and Yonhi Kim and Taieri back-up halfback Tatsuya Hamano.

Southland has experienced pair Marty McKenzie and Scott Eade jostling to start at first five-eighth.

Winger Lausii Taliauli has played for the Brumbies and is expected to make an impact. Lock Mike McKee replaces Manaaki Selby-Rickit, who will miss the season after having back surgery.

"I wouldn't say we have people who are going to stand out with individual brilliance. But I'd like to think our strength will be in playing as a team."

Southland v Canterbury

Oamaru, tomorrow, 2pm

Southland: Josh Moorby, Isaac Te Tamaki, Moses Faletau, Ray Nu’u, Seb Wileman, Marty McKenzie, Logan Crowley, Bill Fukofuka, Taine Te Whata, Charles Alaimalo, Mike McKee, Ray Tatafu, Morgan Mitchell, Flynn Thomas, Ethan De Groot. Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Joe Walsh, Shaun Stodart, Chris Apoua, Ben Paulin, Brenton Howden, Ben Forthringham, Nico Costa, Tatsuya Hamano, Scott Eade, Javaan Fa’moe-Ioane, Lausii Taliuli, Lewis Ormond, Mitch Taylor, Yonhi Kim.

Canterbury: Josh McKay, Ngane Punivai, Inga Finau, Dallas McLeod, Sam Gilbert, Brett Cameron, Mitchell Drummond, Luke Whitelock, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Hamish Munro, Luke Romano, Siate Tokolahi, Brodie McAlister, Harry Allan. Reserves: Seb Siataga, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Michael Alaalatoa, William Tucker, Josh Bokser, Harry Kirk, Ereatara Enari, Fergus Burke, Rameka Poihipi, Oliver Jager.

 

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