Elliot to re-join Chiefs

Former Chiefs hooker Hika Elliot will re-join the Chiefs as a pre-season replacement for Nathan Harris when the side officially assembles tomorrow.

Last season Nathan Harris replaced Elliot when he suffered a neck injury. Now in an ironic turn of events, Elliot will replace Harris who is currently recovering from ankle surgery.

Harris damaged his left ankle during the All Blacks match against the US Eagles in Chicago shortly after scoring his impressive first try. He is expected to be out of rugby for six months.

Elliot has been medically cleared to play and is looking forward to re-joining his Chiefs family 12 months after his neck surgery. The hooker's injury occurred on the Maori All Blacks end of year tour in 2013.

"Hika played some heartland rugby and came through that well. He is in great shape and keen to get back into to pre-season training so we are rapt to have him back," said Chiefs Coach Dave Rennie.

Three other players will also train with the Chiefs on interim contracts. These include Counties Manukau prop Jarrod Firth, New Zealand U20 loose forward James Tucker from Waikato and Maori All Black Mitchell Crosswell from Taranaki who will join training once he finishes his exams.

 ...JW , brave move from Hika Elliot as he may have been cleared but neck injuries never really fully heal do they? I'm hearing Super XV training starts tomorrow as well..

..but yr right about positive signs for next years Super XV...filthy rich with talent the Mighty Chiefs...such a killer backline with the likes of ABs Pulu, Crudz and SBW at halfback, standoff and inside centre respectively just for starters.

..Go deeper and packing a punch is the form centre of this year's ITM cup Seta Tamanivalu - a powerful ball carrier running off SBW, o boy o boy...

Spreading it further we have a very classy Tim Nanai Williams - versatile, elusive and super dangerous on counterattack. Sure to give the Saffas headaches in Pool B for Manu Samoa alongside Hurricanes centre Alapati Leiua.
It keeps getting better with another versatile player of quality Tasman utility back Tom Marshall who can play midfield, fulllback and wing .

Added to the squad this year is another All Black vying for reselection next year with the ABs ,Maori AB and Sevens AB Hosea Gear...will punish em out wide...

And don't forget NZ Maori captain Charlie Ngatai, NZ U20s star Damien McKenzie, Maori AB Robbie Robinson, Andrew Horrel - just so much depth you really  have to feel sorry for the opposition...
..And leading by example in the forwards will be IRB World Rugby Player of the Year Brodie Retallick. Complimented by ABs Messam and tackling machine Sam Cane. Pretty Solid looking all round ...can't wait for kick off..