Highlanders re-sign Elliot Dixon and Teihorangi Walden

Highlanders have announced the signing of two more players for the coming seasons. Veteran loose forward Elliot Dixon , who recently inked a one season deal in Japan, and hard running midfielder Teihorangi Walden have both committed to the Highlanders for two more years.

Dixon, who has played 88 times for the Highlanders since 2012 and was selected for the Maori All Blacks in 2012 and the All Blacks in 2016 playing 3 games, will return from Japan for the 2019 Super Rugby season and be available for the ITM cup. A versatile loose forward equally at home at six, seven or eight his experience will be a valuable asset to the Highlanders in future campaigns.

walden, who started in all but one game thus far, has also formed a potent combination in the centres with Rob Thompson. A consistent performer he was an NZ U20 player in 2013 and a Maori All Black in 2017. He made his debut for the Highlanders in 2016 playing 18 games to date.

On the re-signings, Highlanders CEO Roger Clark commented: “this is another step forward for the club in putting together a competitive group for 2019 and beyond; both Elliot and Tei will provide us with the consistency and experience we are looking for in our squad.”