Top 14 side draft 37-year-old All Black as World Cup joker

37-year-old former All Blacks hooker Hika Elliot has been drafted as a World Cup joker by Top 14 side Perpignan, according to Rugbyrama.

Top 14 clubs are allowed to sign ‘jokers’ in lieu of the likely participation of a player in the flagship international event in September.

With the World Cup fast approaching and the potential participation of Seilala Lam with Samoa, Perpignan found themselves in need of a hooker to bolster their ranks.

Perpignan’s management, led by head coach Franck Azéma, made the strategic move to secure the former All Black’s services for the duration of the tournament and his arrival will provide much-needed depth to the Catalan squad.

Elliot, a free agent after being released by Colomiers, has a wealth of experience in both international and domestic rugby. The New Zealand hooker had previously plied his trade in France with stints at Oyonnax, Nevers, and most recently Colomiers, where he had been a key player since 2020.

During his time at Colomiers, Elliot donned the jersey in 51 games. A former Waikato Chiefs standout, Elliot won seven caps for the All Blacks, but left New Zealand in 2017 to join Oyonnax, after facing the British and Irish Lions during their tour of New Zealand.

Despite not being retained by Colomiers for the upcoming season, Elliot has not yet announced his plans beyond his World Cup duties with Perpignan. The experienced hooker’s arrival will certainly bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Perpignan’s squad, even if he doesn’t see much game time for the Top 14 strugglers.

As the competition draws near, the 6’1, 114kg front rower’s inclusion in the team will undoubtedly provide a boost to Perpignan’s preparations for the season, where they’ll be looking to improve on a 13th-placed finsh last time out.