All Black's Perpignan move scuppered after failed medical

Former All Black Hika Elliot will not be joing Perpignan as reported after he failed his medical. The decision means that the 37-year-old hooker won’t be able to play in France if he wants to continue his career.

The former Chiefs player was set to join the Catalan side as a Rugby World Cup joker. 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.

However, their search will go on, as Elliot is reported to have failed his medical earlier this week. Having arrived the club, the medical was the final hurdle for the veteran forward but in a blow for the both parties – and for reasons unclear – the exam was failed.

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 would have provided 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. Elliot won several 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.