Hawke's Bay have sent off their long serving captain Ash Dixon to Japan with their first triumph in Canterbury since 1968

Dixon missed the match through injury but was pitch side as the Magpies won 45-26 to move five points clear of Waikato and Wellington at the top of the NPC table.

Dixon received a haka from his teammates after the final whistle and assistant coach Josh Syms says there's so much respect for the veteran hooker.



Wellington's beaten Manawatu 36-16 in the late match.

BUNNINGS NPC COVERAGE WITH KENNARD'S HIRE. EQUIPMENT TO TACKLE WHATEVER, WHENEVER, WHEREVER.