Page 21 - MAB v The Lions

PROFILE
ASH DIXON
BY THE NUMBERS
forwards Liam Messam and Elliot Dixon halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow second ve-eighth Charlie Ngatai and and outside backs Nehe Milner-Skudder and and Damian McKenzie all of whom have All All Blacks Blacks experience Messam captained the Maori All All Blacks Blacks in in in 2010 to wins over England
and and and Ireland “You’d always want those guys guys to to come in to to help out – especially guys guys like that who have been part of Maori rugby ” Dixon says “They know what
what
we’re about and and what
what
to do and and it’s awesome for our young guys coming through They can rub shoulders and learn off these guys who have a a a a a a lot of of experience ” Dixon has also recently been enjoying watching highlights from the the 2005 Maori All Blacks victory
over the the the Lions
“It was an awesome team team the the Maoris put out out That team team had a a a a a a a a a a a a a lot lot of of mana about it and and a a a a a a a a a lot lot of of ght
and and they Dixon readies himself at a a a lineout for his Investec Super Rugby side the Highlanders performed extraordinarily ” Dixon says “I guess there’s a a a a a a a a lot of traits from that we would want to take through but it’s a a a a a a a a new new team and a a a a a a a a new new year so we’ve got to to look to to put our own imprint on on it ” Dixon is well aware the the Lions
they they face will be regarded as a a a a a a a a a a shadow Test team and that they they see the the the game as something of a a a a a a a a a dress rehearsal before the the the rst clash with the the All Blacks next week For Dixon that only makes the the the prospect of taking them on on on on more enticing “I think the the the Lions
have got better better and better better as as this tour has gone on on on ” he says “[Lions Head Coach
Warren Gatland] has been nding his his strongest team and and this game is is is a a a a a a a good opportunity for for those guys to to perform They’re only going to to to get better so we have to to be be prepared for a a a a a a a stiff challenge To play them is such an an honour and I’m just looking forward to it ” games in Super Rugby 74 GAMES FOR HAWKE’S BAY
Super Rugby title with the Highlanders 8 MATCHES FOR THE MAORI ALL BLACKS
DHL NEW ZEALAND LIONS SERIES 2017 // 21 GETTY IMAGES