Elliot Dixon is a professional rugby union

Rugby union

Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...

 player. He represents the Highlanders in the Super Rugby competition and Southland in the ITM Cup, playing at number 8.

Provincial Rugby

Dixon moved through the age group levels for Canterbury

Canterbury Rugby Football Union

The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region, in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand...

, but transferred to Southland in late 2009.

He made his provincial debut for Southland during the 2010 ITM Cup

2010 ITM Cup

The 2010 ITM Cup was the 34th provincial rugby union competition, the fifth since the competition reconstruction in 2006 and the first under the new sponsor of ITM , involving the top 14 provincial unions of New Zealand...

, scoring a try on his first appearance in a 37–23 win over Manawatu

Manawatu Rugby Union

Manawatu Rugby Union is the governing body of the sport of Rugby union in the Manawatu rugby province. The Union is based in the city of Palmerston North but has a catchment area from nearby towns in the province, including Feilding, Rongotea, Linton, Bulls, Pahiatua, Dannevirke and...

. He developed into a key member of the team over the course of the season, sharing playing time at number 8 with veteran Samoan

Samoa national rugby union team

The Manu Samoa is the men's representative side of the Samoa Rugby Union in both the 15's and the 7's for international competitions. The Samoa Rugby Union is owned by the affiliated rugby unions of Samoa. In Samoa, Manu Samoa is in honour of a famous Samoan warrior. From 1924 to 1997 Samoa was...

 international Kane Thompson

Kane Thompson

Kane Thompson is a rugby union player. He debuted for the Highlanders in 2006. He showed he was well capable of stepping up to the higher level and he had a strong 2006 season for Southland. In 2007 he represented Manu Samoa at the Rugby World Cup.He signs to play for the Chiefs in the 2012 Super...

. In the 2011 ITM Cup

2011 ITM Cup

The 2011 ITM Cup is the 35th provincial rugby union competition in New Zealand, the sixth since the competition reconstruction in 2006 and the second under the new sponsor of ITM ....

, Dixon appeared in every match for Southland, and helped the team to a Ranfurly Shield

Ranfurly Shield

The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log o' Wood, is a trophy in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. First played for in 1904, the Ranfurly Shield is based on a challenge system, rather than a league or knockout competition as with most football trophies...

 victory over Canterbury on 23 July.

Super Rugby

Following his solid season for Southland in 2010, Dixon was included in the Highlanders squad for the 2011 Super Rugby season. It would be a difficult season, however, as he didn't make any appearances for the squad due in large part to an elbow injury which left him unavailable for most of the year.

International Play

Dixon was a key member of the squad that won the Under-20 World Cup in 2009, where he suited up alongside current Southland teammates Robbie Robinson

Robbie Robinson (rugby player)

Robbie Robinson is a professional rugby union player who represents the Chiefs in the Super Rugby competition and Southland in the ITM Cup.-Playing Career:...

, Brayden Mitchell

Brayden Mitchell

Brayden Mitchell is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He plays as a hooker for Southland in the ITM Cup and for the Highlanders in the Super Rugby competition.-Provincial Rugby:...

, and Alex Ryan.

External links

• Highlanders profile