The new Otago skipper will lead his troops into battle against table-topping Wellington at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight, stepping into the captaincy shoes left vacant by the injured Paul Grant.
Otago comes up against a fully rested Wellington team, chocker with Super 15 talent, and sitting on top of the premiership.
"It is going to be extremely tough. There is no denying that.
They have got a team full of Super 15 rugby players who are big, hard-hitting boys," Dickson said.
"They have some X-factor players and sit on top of the premiership. But we are back home at the stadium and the team has really responded to playing there. The crowd helps out a lot and we are playing a nice style.
"It is fun to play, especially when we are winning and scoring a few tries."
Dickson, though only 25, feels a bit of a veteran of the team now.
"With all these local guys in the team, it makes me feel a bit old. Guys who are a bit younger than me are getting excited about being in the side and that is what it used to be for me.
"But in saying that, I still get really nervous before every game, just like when I was playing my first few games."
Dickson has looked assured at second five-eighth for Otago this season, but he said that had more to do with his team-mates than his own form.
"It's hard to pin down on what and why it is working well. I suppose you get a bit of confidence from those guys who are playing well around you and go from there.
"To be honest, I really enjoyed last year and that was a step in the right direction. This year, I think we have done better than most people have expected. I think we are capable of winning the championship but, of course, it is just one game at a time."
Dickson is a true-blue Otago man, as his father played for the province.
He will win his 42nd cap tonight and would love to get to a half century for the province.
But his playing future may be overseas, as he felt making a Super 15 side was unlikely.
"It is pretty hard to get in there," he said. It was more likely he would head offshore.
Dickson, who has a PE degree and is a few papers away from a graduate diploma in psychology, said he had nothing set in concrete yet in term of an overseas contract.
Captaincy was a new road, and Dickson said the more experienced players on the park helped to make a collective decision for the team.
Otago has made some changes to its side given the short turnaround from the win over Manawatu last Tuesday. Pirates prop Hisa Sasagi comes into the side at tighthead prop, with Liam Coltman at hooker.
Hugh Blake has his second game of the season at openside flank, with Gareth Evans coming into the No 8 jersey. Lee Allan is on the blindside flank.
Jayden Spence comes back into the team at centre.
Tama Tuirirangi got a bang on the knee in the last play of the game against Manawatu and it is touch and go whether he will be available next week against Auckland.
Prop Scott Manson's ankle injury is worse than first thought and he is unlikely to play again this season.
Jacob Ellison is in the reserves and is likely to get some playing time.
With Tasman moving up the table with its win over Bay of Plenty on Thursday night, Otago needs to get points in its last two games to secure a home semifinal at least.
Otago v Wellington
Forsyth Barr Stadium, today, 7.35pm
Referee: Keith Brown (Southland)
TAB odds: Otago $2.80, Wellington $1.40
Otago: Tony Ensor, Marshall Suckling, Jayden Spence, Glenn Dickson (captain), Buxton Popoali'i, Hayden Parker, Fumiaki Tanaka, Gareth Evans, Hugh Blake, Lee Allan, Rob Verbakel, Tom Franklin, Hisa Sasagi, Liam Coltman, Aki Seiuli.
Reserves: Shota Horie, Jacob Ellison, Justin Ives, TJ Ioane, Brad Weber, Peter Breen, Adam Hill.
Wellington: Charlie Ngatai, Alapati Leiua, Tim Bateman, Shaun Treeby, Jason Woodward, Lima Sopoaga, Frae Wilson, Genesis Mamea, Ardie Savea, Ross Filipo, Mark Reddish, Jeremy Thrush (captain), Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Dane Coles, Reggie Goodes.
Reserves: Motu Matu'u, Eric Sione, Arden David-Perrot, Kaipati Gaualofa, Kayne Hammington, Matt Proctor, Scott Fuglistalle.
