Dickson brothers both in rugby action today

Josh Dickson gets through some lineout practice at Otago training at Forsyth Barr Stadium earlier...
Josh Dickson gets through some lineout practice at Otago training at Forsyth Barr Stadium earlier this week. Photo: Gerard O'Brien.
For the Dickson brothers, today is a big day.

The oldest of the family Josh Dickson will front up for Otago in a key Mitre 10 Cup match against Counties-Manukau at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Sam Dickson.
Sam Dickson.
Then at the top of the country, younger brother Sam Dickson, will be taking the field for the New Zealand schools side in its test against Australian schools in Auckland.

The younger Dickson was originally in the New Zealand Barbarians schools side, the second national schools team, but an injury in the top side has pushed Dickson in the top team.

Older brother Josh (21) said it was a deserved call-up for his younger brother.

"He’s pretty tall, and solid with it, quite an abrasive player. He’s a big boy. When I was that age I was not that big," he said.

"He played in the Baabaas team and they won and now he’s been moved up to New Zealand schools. The whole family [mum, dad and two younger sisters] are going up to watch him. On Monday, I watched him up in Auckland."

Sam, who plays in the loose forwards, is just 17 and in his last year at Otago Boys’ High School.

"He’s hanging around here, in Otago, next year, not sure what club he is going to play for. But I’ve never played a game with him. There’s always been that age gap. That would be pretty cool, to play with your brother."

But before getting too far ahead of himself the older Dickson has a task ahead of him, coming off the bench in a tough match against a big, burly premiership side.

Otago has come off two rough performances against Canterbury and Auckland and needs to get back into the winner’s circle. It also wants to maintain an unbeaten run at home.

"Those top teams, we just have to give it to them physically. They are a big pack. If we can knock them down, run them round and tire them out, then we can compete. Just have to speed up the game and be smart about it.

"We are not the biggest pack but we know what we are doing and we are coming right."

Dickson, a lock, is matching up with the big packs but putting on weight for him is not easy. Naturally lean at 2m, he has to be dedicated to get bigger.

He is at 107kg, up from about 100kg a year ago.

"You just chuck food in, lift weights and eat food every day. You can’t skip a day, can’t skip a meal, otherwise with bones like mine you just drop so fast. If I go out and train and then miss the meal after training then all the supplements I need to put on weight get missed, so obviously it is going to drop."

Everything was on the menu from meat to nuts.

He would keep up his rugby education when he joins the Highlanders next season on a one-year deal.

Dickson said he was looking forward to a step up in his rugby career with the franchise.

Otago needs to take a step up today.

Counties-Manukau has plenty to play for in what is a tightly contested premiership competition.

Otago has qualified for the semifinals but needs to get back to winning form.

How does it do that?

Cut out the errors, match the physicality of the visiting forwards and snap up any chance which comes along.

 

Otago v Counties-Man
FB Stadium, today, 5.35pm

Otago: Michael Collins, Mitchell Scott, Sio Tomkinson, Tei Walden, Fa’asiu Fuata’i, Scott Eade, Jonathan Ruru, Naulia Dawai, James Lentjes, Adam Knight, Tom Franklin, Blair Tweed, Donald Brighouse, Sam Anderson-Heather (captain), Craig Millar. Reserves: Sekonaia Pole, Jonah Aoina, Josh Hohneck, Josh Dickson, Sione Teu, Kaide Whiting, Fletcher Smith, Matt Faddes.

Counties-Manukau: Luteru Laulala, Sione Fifita, Sam Vaka, Cardiff Vaega, Sherwin Stowers, Piers Francis, Richard Judd, Sootala Fa’aso’o, Jordan Taufua, Jimmy Tupou (captain), Matiaha Martin, Viliame Rarasea, Kalolo Tuiloma, Gafatasi Su’a, Sean Bagshaw. Reserves: Hika Elliot, Pauliasi Manu, Sione Faletau, Matt Vaai, Joshua Dowling, Jonathan Taumateine, Joe Reynolds, Toni Pulu.

Referee: Nick Briant (Bay of Plenty)

Add a Comment