Elliot Dixon wants to make the No.6 jersey his own as the Highlanders continue their Super Rugby preparation with a pre-season match against the Brumbies in Wagga Wagga on Saturday.

Dixon has been a jack of all trades as a loose forward since he joined the Highlanders in 2011 but he is eager to specialise as a blindside flanker this season.

The 25-year-old, who recently re-signed for Southland and the Highlanders for two more years, wants to fulfil his potential in the No.6 jersey.

“Last year was good for me,” he said.

“I got pretty solid game time at number six, and some good matches under the belt.

“I’d like to specialise at No.6 and stay in the one position. If you’re moving from one position to another it makes your preparation much harder.”

Dixon, who has played 47 matches for Southland and more than 30 for the Highlanders, is now regarded as a senior player despite his relative youth.

He represented New Zealand as an under-20 and has toured with New Zealand Maori for the past three years.

There is competition among the Highlanders’ loose forwards, with Nasi Manu, Shane Christie, John Hardie and Dan Pryor all in contention.

Dixon says the Highlanders wanted to sort out their “loose ends” against the Brumbies, and the Rebels in Melbourne next Thursday, and for the players to become accustomed to their roles.

The team’s goal is to at least match their play-off appearance of last season while Elliot has set his own targets on higher honours.

“The reason I signed for two more years was to make a push and see what happens.

“Hopefully the players who go overseas after the World Cup will include loose forwards, and particularly blindside flankers. I want to stay here and give it a decent crack.”

Coach Jamie Joseph said all the Highlanders squad, except All Blacks Aaron and Ben Smith and Malakai Fekitoa, who all returned to training this week, and injured wing Richard Buckman, would travel to Australia.