Rugby: Highlanders hooker Ash Dixon on North-South clash: ‘Everybody knows what’s at stake’

Making the All Blacks is paramount for players preparing to represent their respective islands this weekend, says North prostitute Ash Dixon.

The North-South game in Wellington will effectively be a New Zealand test, with the national team named on Sunday.

Dixon has played 16 games for the Maori All Blacks, but is not yet on the test team. The mountain prostitute has warned not to expect a friendly barbarian-style showdown.

“Everybody knows what’s at stake here. I suppose there’s bragging rights and all that, but the guys know there’s an All Black jersey on the line. It’s been said that the All Black team will be named the next day. So our guys are definitely up for this and I know they want to play the best football they can, “Dixon told Martin Devlin at Newstalk ZB.

The last time the North and South met in 2012, four players, including current North hooker Dane Coles, were cited after a fight in the first half.

Dixon said there was something unfamiliar to some players as eight years have passed between the North vs. South matchups, but he doesn’t expect a lack of motivation.

“Coming in today, the guys are very excited about the unknown because the last North v South game was in 2012 and a lot of the guys didn’t play in that and they don’t really know what to expect, but they understand the uniqueness of this. so excited to play soccer and mingle with each other. All the guys are up for this. “

A problem that could affect the players is the lack of public. The North Island v South Island match has gone from an expected sale at Eden Park to zero fans allowed at Sky Stadium.

Dixon played in the final match of the Super Rugby Aotearoa season at an empty Forsyth Barr stadium. He said it was difficult to adapt to the change from packed stadiums to no fans.

“It was weird. I can’t really explain the feeling. Sometimes it felt like a training race. I just wasn’t used to it. I needed a little more sound or something to happen in the stadium just to get you in tune. I guess because I have. played before, I know what to expect now. It’s something we will probably talk about as a group and just reassure the guys that this is going to happen. It shouldn’t affect us and the road we left wanting to prepare and move on with the game ” he told the DRS.