Dickson (22) started his first game for Otago against Auckland last Sunday, playing at first five-eighth. He looks set to start in the No 10 jersey again in the Ranfurly Shield challenge against Canterbury on Saturday as Chris Noakes continues to struggle with a groin injury.
Dickson is loving his promotion, and admits last Sunday was a step up from club and B level.
"It was a lot faster and a lot more physical. Everything is the same, it is just way faster. You are under the pump all the time," he said.
"I was reasonably happy. I was steady, and a couple more line breaks would have been nicer. They [Auckland] were very physical but they always are."
Born and bred in Dunedin, Dickson was fully aware of the hurt the Shield had brought to the province.
"It's been very painful. It is a Shield game but I'll be treating it like any other game. If you don't then you'll put too much emphasis on it, and go away from what you're trying to do."
He said the 52-year Shield drought was a source of motivation for the team rather than a burden.
"To be in the team that brings it back to Dunedin after 52 years would be the best thing ever."
Dickson, a player with a prodigious boot, is one player who is enjoying the new laws with the emphasis on more and accurate kicking.
"I'm always practising my kicking and there is always something to work on. I used to kick a toilet roll around the house. Right from when I was 5-years-old until seventh form that was what I used to do.
"And that is what made me be a more accurate kicker. Just finding the sweet spot and getting a good kick away. I didn't used to kick the ball a lot when I was younger. But it just carried over with timing."
Dickson said he loved goal kicking, and the pressure it brought.
"You can do some special things when you're a goal kicker for the team. If you have an accurate boot or a big boot then you can make a real difference and put yourself in front of other teams."
His dad Craig played for Otago in 1978, while his grandfather Laurie played six games for Otago in 1952. Laurie died in 2001.
His father and grandfather played in the forwards, and both played club rugby for Pirates.
His father would be at Christchurch on Saturday while his mother, Jacqui, would be with his grandfather Ivan McIntosh watching the game at Mossbrae Healthcare rest-home in Mosgiel.
Otago is due to name its team tomorrow, along with Canterbury.
