Rugby: Elliot relishes chance to stake rake claim

Take a look at the Chiefs remaining three Super Rugby matches.
It's almost as if the draw has been made with Chiefs and Hawke's Bay Magpies hooker Hika Elliot's quest to secure an All Blacks berth for the Tri Nations and World Cup in mind. When the Chiefs take on the Blues in Auckland on Saturday night Elliot will mark first string All Black rake Keven Mealamu.
The following week Elliot, who travelled as the third string hooker on the ABs end-of-year tour to the United Kingdom last year, will get a crack at second stringer Andrew Hore when the Chiefs host the Hurricanes in Hamilton and in their final outing on June 18 the Chiefs will play the top-of-the-table Reds in Hamilton.
"We're at the business end of the season now. This is when the All Black selectors see who is stepping up ... hopefully I can," said Elliot after the Chiefs Tuesday training in Pukekohe.
"For me it's about performing week in week out. I need real solid performances to push my claim," said Elliot.
The three-game All Black admitted last week's bye week for the Chiefs was also timely.
Like his teammates he feels refreshed after spending time with family.
Earlier this week the Chiefs analysed their 25-19 loss to the Crusaders in Napier on May 21.
It wasn't a surprise when Elliot said the scrum was a major focus.
"The Crusaders scrum gained some dominance in the second half.
"We thought our scrum went well in the first half so this week we'll be aiming to stay in the fight for the full 80 minutes at scrum time.
"The Crusaders kept the ball out of our hands a lot but when we had the ball we did some good stuff. This week we'll be aiming to retain the ball for longer periods ... it's just little things," said Elliot.
As far as individual work ons are concerned Hastings Boys' High School product Elliot, 25, couldn't be happier.
"My lineout work is going well and my scrummaging is heading in the right direction.
"Once my core roles are taken care of then I can focus on some runs with the ball in hand."
He pointed out preparing to play Mealamu is no different to preparing for any other game.
"It's all about knowing my roles and preparing to play good rugby."
Elliot started in the Chiefs 16-13 loss to the Blues back in March and while the Chiefs side for Saturday night wasn't announced until after Hawke's Bay Today went to press today it would have been a major surprise if he didn't have another starting role.
While the Chiefs playoff hopes have been dashed, the battle for All Black berths will ensure they don't let their northern neighbours have too much their own way.
Hawke's Bay fans will also pay close attention to the form of another Hastings Boys High School product, Blues halfback Alby Mathewson.
Like Elliot, Mathewson, has some ideal chances to stake a claim. After time against former All Black Brendon Leonard this week Mathewson will have the opportunity to play the Crusaders and the Hurricanes before a possible playoff or two.
Like Elliot, Mathewson, has done little wrong this season. Imagine the chatter in the Hastings Boys High School staffroom should this pair gain World Cup selection.