Rugby: Elliot joins conversation about All Blacks' hooker selection

Name: Rugby: Chiefs let down by 'very poor error'
Uploaded: 2015-05-17T14:08:32+12:00
Duration: 222 s
Description: Relief will be washing through the Hurricanes. This wasn't a vintage performance and their 22-18 victory over the Chiefs at Westpac Stadium in Wellington last night will be one they might look back on and feel lucky to have escaped with the points. But the flipside to that argument is that this was another gritty win that shows how far this team has come when the heat goes on.

NZME.

18 May, 2015 05:00 PM3 mins to read

Relief will be washing through the Hurricanes. This wasn't a vintage performance and their 22-18 victory over the Chiefs at Westpac Stadium in Wellington last night will be one they might look back on and feel lucky to have escaped with the points. But the flipside to that argument is that this was another gritty win that shows how far this team has come when the heat goes on.

Chiefs hooker Hika Elliot has made a miraculous recovery from a serious neck injury, which has thrust him in to the discussion for All Black selection.

Hurricanes rake Dane Coles has emerged as the clear choice for this year's World Cup and Keven Mealamu may drag his body through another global tournament but the All Blacks will need three hookers for their squad in September.

You can't measure in numbers some of the things Elliot brings to the table such as bone-jarring hits and aggression, but let's examine the quantifiable categories.

His lineout throwing - when compared with Kiwi hookers who have thrown to at least 10 lineouts - operates at a 90 per cent efficiency rating. Only Highlander Ash Dixon and Chiefs No2 Quentin Macdonald (both 92 per cent) are more accurate.

Elliot has also beaten seven defenders this year with ball in hand, the most of any New Zealand hooker, while making 59 carries. His durability has also stood up given he has got through the most minutes (660) among Kiwi rakes. There's a growing chance the 29-year-old could add to his three test caps this year. He enjoyed a good battle with Coles on Saturday night as the Hurricanes edged the Chiefs 22-18.

"He's just in great form," Chiefs coach Dave Rennie said of Elliot. "I think every week we talk about how well he's playing."

Another hooker who has been steadily improving this season is Crusader Codie Taylor, who is one of the more dominant Kiwis on attack. He has made four clean breaks, the most among New Zealand rakes, and averages 4.48m per carry, which ranks him third.

Taylor's lineout throwing operates at a respectable 85 per cent; the same figure as Coles.

The Plum job

Hurricanes assistant coach John Plumtree has improved their forward pack this year and deep into the Super Rugby season the numbers are stacking up.

The Hurricanes operate their scrum at 95 per cent - the best rate in the competition - and they lose the fewest scrums on average per game. They also have a 95 per cent success rate at ruck time, which is only 1 per cent behind the Force, who, somewhat surprisingly, lead the league in that aspect of the game despite sitting last on the ladder.

The Hurricanes also make the most tackles per game at 134.8 as they often allow their opponents to win the territory battle.