Hika Elliot leads the Chiefs out for his 100th Super Rugby game on Saturday. He was presented a mounted pounamu mere, the NZ Rugby gift for centurions, after the game
Hika Elliot's recall has to go down as one of the most gutsy comebacks in the history of All Black rugby.
"Yes I'm pretty chuffed. To be where I am now is something I'm pretty proud of," were the words of the former Hawke's Bay Magpies hooker after the All Blacks squad of 41 was announced yesterday.
There were fears Elliot, 29, wouldn't take to the rugby field again after collecting a serious neck injury when playing for the Maori All Blacks against Canada in Toronto in 2013. He returned to the first-class scene as a substitute for Poverty Bay in a match against South Canterbury last year and when he was named in the Chiefs team as a replacement for the injured Nathan Harris earlier this season Elliot said his goal was a berth in the All Blacks for this year's World Cup.
"I've had a lot of support from a lot of people to get back to this level. I know I've got things to offer at international level and I've got unfinished business there," said Elliot, who played the last of his four games for the All Blacks in 2012.
"It has taken a hard-nosed attitude. The neck is fine ... there is no second guessing it."
A former world championship-winning New Zealand under-19 player as well as a former New Zealand under-21 rake, Elliot agreed the selection was the ideal consolation for the Chiefs' 24-14 loss to the Highlanders in Saturday night's playoff clash in Dunedin. While he was surprised the All Black selectors named four hookers - Dane Coles, Keven Mealamu and Codie Taylor are the others - Elliot said he could see the logic.
"Keven Mealamu won't be around next year so they've got an eye to the future."
Elliot played 83 first-class games for the Magpies from 2005-12 and said he would love to play for the side again, with the aim of reaching 100 games.
"I haven't closed that door. Hawke's Bay is always home but I don't think the Magpies selectors want me ... I still haven't had a call from them.
"The All Blacks are the focus now. I've got an opportunity to really show them and I'm ready to go. This is a big carrot as you are only around rugby for a limited time ... Nobody knows that better than me."
A former Hurricane, Elliot received a pounamu mere in recognition of 100 Super Rugby matches during a presentation after Saturday night's match in Dunedin. Earlier this month he received one of the most prestigious awards at the Chiefs' annual awards night, the Mana Kotiate, for his impressive contribution to team culture, charities and community service.
"That was a pretty special moment. I've had some hostile baggage off the field in the past ... that special moment proved I've turned the corner."
Because Poverty Bay is the last union he represented before yesterday's squad announcement, he will become that union's first to play in the All Blacks since Ian Kirkpatrick and Lawrie Knight in the 1970s should he be named for next month's match against Samoa in Apia.
Chiefs assistant coach and former Magpies co-coach Tom Coventry described Elliot's return to the international scene as "a marvellous comeback".
"Hika has fought pretty hard and the selection is an appropriate reward for the amount of effort he has put in.
"I was always hoping Hika would get the nod as he has been one of the consistent hookers. Hika will be the first to admit he has had a bit of a chequered past but he has developed and matured. He is in a good space, content with his family life and he dotes on his young daughter ... It's a dream come true," Coventry said.
He praised Elliot for the manner in which he listened to his trainers and surgeons as he recovered from his neck injury.
Another of Elliot's former Magpies coaches, Craig Philpott, wasn't surprised by the Hastings Boys' High School old boy's selection.
"Hika has been the form hooker of the Super competition to date. His consistency with lineout throwing has been superb and his on-field ability has been matched by his off-field work ... he has come a long way during the last two to three years which is fantastic and he deserves this opportunity."
Philpott hasn't ruled out the possibility of Elliot returning to the Magpies and hasn't been as aggressive as he could have been in chasing him because Elliot's availability may be limited due to international commitments.
Elliot's Tamatea club coach Tane Cooper had a mixed reaction: "It was good to hear his name read out on the television but at the same time it was a bit sad because it means he won't be be playing for us during the next week or so."
Cooper added that he got a buzz out of watching the presentation for Elliot's 100th Super Rugby appearance after Saturday night's game.
Magpies fullback Israel Dagg and former Magpies prop Ben Franks were predictable selections, along with those of former Magpies lock Brodie Retallick, the world's best player last year, and former Magpies fullback Cory Jane.