While there was little doubt Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby captain Ash Dixon would retain the Maori All Blacks captaincy a successful fishing expedition on Sunday was an early signal.
"We got a couple of gurnard and a couple of kahawai which are just about to come out of the smoker now," hooker Dixon said yesterday, as he reflected on Sunday's fishing on Hawke Bay from his boat with mates including fellow Magpies front rower Mark Braidwood.
Dixon, 29, has been a Maori All Black since 2013, has captained the side since last year and was captain when they lost to the British and Irish Lions in Rotorua this year. Fellow Magpies, first five-eighth Ihaia West and halfback Brad Weber, have also retained their berths in the side to take on Canada in Vancouver on November 3 and the French Barbarians in Bordeaux on November 10.
Fellow Magpie, prop Ben May, who has also been a regular in the side in recent seasons, was ruled out with a knee injury.
"I was pretty chuffed to be named captain again and have the opportunity to represent Maori and Hawke's Bay again. It's pretty special playing for the Maori team," Dixon said.