The Highlanders are on the lookout for a new hooker and a new leader after Ash Dixon decided to take up a contract in Japan’s new cashed-up domestic competition.
The 32-year-old Māori All Blacks and Hawke’s Bay skipper, who shares the captain’s armband with Aaron Smith at the Highlanders, will make the move at the end of the NPC campaign.
Dixon and Smith led the Highlanders into the final of Super Rugby Trans Tasman this year, and Dixon’s exit will leave a big gap to fill from a playing and leadership perspective.
In June, Dixon appeared to be leaning towards staying in New Zealand, but the money in Japan is significant and the highly respected hooker fits the profile of what Japanese clubs wants from their imports.
Jackson, 23, has always had pace and X-factor, but he was tough over the ball for Otago against Southland last week and a strong NPC would set him up well for Super Rugby in 2022.
Coincidentally, Jackson will face Dixon this weekend as Hawke’s Bay defend the Ranfurly Shield against Otago on Saturday.
If the Highlanders want to continue with the co-captaincy model, James Lentjes is an obvious choice to lead the side with Smith.
Lentjes captained the Highlanders in 2020 before a serious ankle injury ruled him out of rugby for a year.
He also captains Otago, although he is not guaranteed of a starting place at the Highlanders due to the presence of fellow No 7 Billy Harmon.
