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100-up for Dixon as Squire returns at long last

Cape Town - All Blacks back-rower Elliot Dixon will play in his 100th Super Rugby match on Saturday when the Highlanders take on the Jaguares in Dunedin. 

Kick-off is at 07:15 SA time.

After making his debut in 2012 against the Brumbies, Dixon has featured in all positions in the back-row - most memorably, scoring an amazing try against the Hurricanes to help the Highlanders to their 2015 title.

Highlanders head coach Aaron Mauger has been impressed with Dixon’s form this season.

“To play 100 Super Rugby games for one club is an awesome effort, the fact that he is still demanding selection through his current form speaks volumes for Elliot and his attitude to the game,” said Mauger.

“I’m sure the boys will want to put out an effort worthy of this milestone for him.”

Highlanders CEO Roger Clark hailed Dixon’s special achievement.

“I’ve always been an admirer of the way Elliot plays the game whether it was for Southland, the Highlanders or the All Blacks,” he said.

“A hundred games is a mighty effort and I am sure a proud day for Elliot, his wife Paige and kids Huxley and Toby.”

The Jaguares will be keen to get their four week tour off to a positive start while the Highlanders will want to head to South Africa next week on a winning note after last week’s draw against the Chiefs.

There is some rotation in the Highlanders forwards with Ayden Johnstone and Siate Tokolahi starting, while the hard-working Daniel Lienert-Brown and Tyrel Lomax head to the bench. Josh Dickson moves into the starting line-up and Liam Squire makes his return after a lengthy injury break.

In the backs, Matt Faddes, moves to fullback and Jordan Hyland will make his second appearance on the right wing. Patelesio Tomkinson will partner Rob Thompson in the midfield as Teihorangi Walden takes a break. Dan Hollinshead, who has joined the squad as a replacement for Bryn Gatland, will make his debut from the bench and the talented and young, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, rounds out the playing 23.

Teams:

Highlanders

15 Matt Faddes, 14 Jordan Hyland, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Patelesio Tomkinson, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Elliot Dixon, 7 James Lentjes, 6 Luke Whitelock (captain), 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Josh Dickson, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Ayden Johnstone

Substitutes: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Jack Whetton, 20 Liam Squire, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Daniel Hollinshead, 23 Thomas Umaga-Jensen

Jaguares

15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Sebastián Cancelliere, 13 Matías Moroni, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente (captain), 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, 9 Felipe Ezcurra, 8 Javier Ortega Desio, 7 Tomás Lezana, 6 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 5 Lucas Paulos, 4 Marcos Kremer, 3 Enrique Pieretto, 2 Julián Montoya, 1 Mayco Vivas

Substitutes: 16 Agustín Creevy, 17 Juan Pablo Zeiss, 18 Santiago Medrano, 19 Tomás Lavanini, 20 Pablo Matera, 21 Tomás Cubelli, 22 Domingo Miotti, 23 Matías Orlando

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