Rugby: Gear and Elliot ready to take chances

Hika Elliot has been a key performer for the table-topping Chiefs this year. Photo / Getty Images.

Hika Elliot has credited the team environment at the Chiefs this year as one of the major factors behind his call-up to the All Blacks' wider training group for their second camp in Wellington this week.

With Blues rake Keven Mealamu struggling with a calf niggle, Elliot, who played two tests for the All Blacks in 2010, has been added to the mix for this week's camp and appears likely to back-up Andrew Hore during next month's three-test series against Ireland.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said he expected Mealamu to feature at some point against the Irish but may miss the first test, which would open the door for the 26-year-old Elliot.

Elliot has been a key performer for the table-topping Chiefs this year and has split the starting hooking duties with Samoan international Mahroni Schwalger.

"It's been a long time between drinks so if I get the chance to get some game time I'll be looking forward to that," Elliot said of the series against Ireland.

"I think the Chiefs environment has helped me a lot this year. Especially with the way the team's been going and that battle on Friday night [against the Bulls], which it was a huge battle, I think that's paid dividends too."

Despite being rotated in and out of the starting line up by Chiefs supremo Dave Rennie, Elliot said playing from the pine every second week wasn't a big deal.

"It's kept me on my toes and that competition between me and Mo is really good. He's an awesome player and it's breeding some really good success in terms of the way we've been playing."

Elliot's inclusion ahead of Corey Flynn also gave a glimpse in to the future from Hansen who pointed out that New Zealand's three premier rakes, Mealamu, Hore and Flynn were all on the wrong side of 30.

"It's a big risk if you look to the end of the year and we may not have any of those hookers available because of injuries then we'd be starting off with two brand new ones and we don't want to do that," Hansen said.

Highlanders wing Hosea Gear, who declined an offer to join Japanese club Toshiba during the week, was also named today as a replacement player in the training squad in place of Cory Jane, who has an ankle complaint.

Gear, who was a replacement player for last year's World Cup squad when Mils Muliaina was hobbled, said after a conversation with his brother, Rico, he decided to stay in New Zealand.

Rico, 34, plays in Japan for the Kintetsu Liners but his advice appeared to have a major impact on his younger brother.

"It was massive because I'd sort of thought to myself that I was ready to go and again it was just feedback from him about his time in the All Blacks and again he asked the question to me, 'am I satisfied with what I've achieved in the All Black jersey?' and the answer was no," Hosea said.

"And, we are not getting any younger so it was more difficult if you wanted to come back in the future."

Hosea, 28, has been in solid although not spectacular form for the Highlanders this year, but managed to dot down for two tries on Saturday night as the Southern Men trumped the Blues 27-20 in Auckland.

Hansen names his 30-strong squad to meet Ireland on Sunday, June 3.