Hika Elliot

The club announced on Thursday that they had signed the four-test All Black to a two-year deal, beginning in the French 2017/18 season.

Elliot joins a number of Chiefs heading overseas after this season, with halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Toulon), first five-eighth Aaron Cruden (Montpellier) and wing James Lowe (Leinster) also taking their talents abroad.

The 31-year-old has been the Chiefs' starting hooker this season, however, with Nathan Harris' return not far off he might find himself moving to a bench role. 

The 31-year-old hooker, set to win his 107th Chiefs cap against the Hurricanes in Hamilton on Friday, believes they're 'firing beyond' from where they were 12 months ago after two dominant displays against the Highlanders and the Blues.

Kane Hames and Nepo Laulala will start either side of Elliot in the front row for the third successive game, which is the only consistency in selection the Chiefs have stuck with in their forwards this season.