All Blacks: Elliot gets another chance at redemption

Hika Elliot demonstrated a huge work rate playing for Hawkes Bay in the ITM Cup. Photo / Supplied

This weekend marks the most significant step in the redemption of Hika Elliot.

The happy hooker from Hastings has been employed in a watching brief from the bench on this tour, but the suspension of Keven Mealamu and Andrew Hore's fragility has seen him promoted to the starting lineup for the weekend's test against Scotland.

While he has been bracketed with Mealamu, the Aucklander's chances of being exonerated from his four-week ban while being in the right frame of mind to play a test is a stretch.

Elliot, 23, toured with the All Blacks in 2008 as a replacement for Hore who was injured against Australia in Hong Kong, coming on as a sub against Munster.

It was during that tour that questions were raised about his attitude and work ethic. When he disappeared off the All Black radar in 2009 the assumption was that the impression he left on that tour was unlikely to see him feature again under this regime.

A barnstorming ITM Cup in a struggling Hawkes Bay team, a campaign in which he demonstrated a huge work rate and leadership, thrust him back into the selector's minds. That coupled with Hore's rehabilitation from a dislocated shoulder and Corey Flynn's ongoing struggles with injury created the circumstances for him to make an unlikely return.

"Hika is a man who has matured a hell of a lot for the better," forwards coach Steve Hansen said.

"He has had two tests on the bench where he's sat there and had to watch the whole performance but that's more a reflection of the guy who was starting [Mealamu] than whether he's been ready to play or not. Saturday's a huge opportunity for him.

"We've got faith in him. He can play rugby so he's got to go out there and do what he's got to do and do it to the level we need."

Elliot is one of five changes from Twickenham to Murrayfield, with Isaia Toeava and Conrad Smith coming in for Joe Rokocoko and Ma'a Nonu. Jimmy Cowan replaces Alby Mathewson at halfback and Liam Messam will start at blindside flanker.

Toeava's elevation to the starting lineup comes after a strong showing from the bench against England. It is five years since Toeava made his debut here as an unrefined 19-year-old.

Hansen said it was a gamble back then and the utility was overawed. He, and to a lesser extent Elliot, were examples of players that take time to get comfortable in high-performance environments.

WHAT: All Blacks vs Scotland
WHERE: Murrayfield
WHEN: 6.15am Sunday (NZT)
TV: Sky Sport 1