Hikawera Elliot prepares for New Zealand debut
New Zealand hooker, Hikawera Elliot is set to win his first cap for All Blacks if the appeal to have Keven Mealamu’s suspension lifted is unsuccessful.
The 23-year-old is expected make his debut against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday, 13 November, as it seems unlikely that the IRB will change their verdict.
Mealamu was found guilty of deliberately head-butting England captain Lewis Moody while the All Black cleared a ruck.
Elliot admitted that he would be delighted to win his first cap, but was sympathetic towards Mealamu and the situation he was in.
Speaking to the BBC, Elliot said, "Hopefully everything goes well with Kevvy, first and foremost, but if I get that opportunity I'll definitely be taking it. Keven is a top bloke—I feel for him—and he's got four weeks off and the appeal."
The Hawke’s Bay and Chiefs forward had hoped that he would not win his debut at the expense of the experienced Mealamu.
"He's a great man, he's been really helpful with me. It's a bit of a Catch-22 situation, but I'm ready to get out there."
Scotland will look to attack the hooker at the scrum if Mealamu’s appeal fails. They will try to give the debutant a baptism he will not forget at a hostile Murrayfield stadium.
Despite Scotland’s recent four-match unbeaten run, the All Blacks will be massive favourites and Elliot hopes that if he starts, his long awaited debut will coincide with a New Zealand win.
"If I get to run out on Saturday for my debut, I'll be stoked. It's been a while. It's been two years coming, but I'm really looking forward to it. We've got this saying in the team that you prepare to start. I've been in that mindset all week."
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