Gareth Ellis

Gareth Ellis (born (1981-05-03)3 May 1981) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played as a second-row, loose forward and centre in the Super League and the NRL, and England and Great Britain at international level.

Gaz Ellis
Personal information
Full nameGareth Ellis
Born (1981-05-03) 3 May 1981[1]
Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
Playing information
Height6 ft 2 in (2 m)[2]
Weight16 st 12 lb (107 kg)[2]
PositionCentre, Second-row, Loose forward
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1999–04 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 114 26 1 0 106
2005–08 Leeds Rhinos 121 27 1 0 110
2009–12 Wests Tigers 75 10 0 0 40
2013–17 Hull F.C. 182 23 0 0 476
2019–20 Hull F.C. 27 0 0 0 0
Total 519 86 2 0 732
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2003–07 Great Britain 17 2 0 0 8
2008–12 England 16 2 0 0 8
Yorkshire

He played at club level for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Leeds Rhinos (with whom he won Super League XII's 2007 Super League Grand Final and Super League XIII's 2008 Super League Grand Final), and Hull F.C. in the Super League, and for the Wests Tigers in the NRL. Earlier in his career he played as a centre. He also represented Yorkshire.

Background

Ellis was born in Castleford, West Yorkshire, England.

Playing career

Early career

Ellis was a junior at Castleford Lock Lane prior to signing for Wakefield Trinity Wildcats' Academy side in 1999.

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats

Ellis made his first team début in 1999, he broke into the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats team in 2000, and he made over 100 appearances for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

Ellis playing for Leeds in 2007

Leeds

Gareth Ellis was transferred from the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats to the Leeds Rhinos in 2005. As Super League IX champions, Leeds Rhinos faced 2004 NRL season premiers, Canterbury-Bankstown in the 2005 World Club Challenge. Ellis played at positions in Leeds Rhinos' 39–32 victory.[8][9] Ellis played for Leeds Rhinos in the 2005 Challenge Cup Final at loose forward in their loss against Hull FC.[10] Ellis also received a 2006 Super League Grand final runners up medal. He played for Leeds Rhinos as a second-row in their 2005 Super League Grand Final loss against the Bradford Bulls.

In February 2008, Ellis agreed to a contract with Australian National Rugby League club, Wests Tigers, for a three-year deal commencing in 2009.[11]

Ellis was named in the Super League Dream Team for 2008's Super League XIII season.[12] He played in the 2008 Super League Grand Final victory over St Helens.[13]

Wests Tigers
"Gareth Ellis has no body fat, he has an 'eight pack', will run for 200m and leave six players being taken off on stretchers. He has to be the best forward I've ever played with."

–Liam Fulton [14]

"He was the politest man you'd ever meet off the field but on the field he wanted to kill people"

–Aaron Woods [15]

Gareth Ellis playing for the Wests Tigers against the Newcastle Knights at Campbelltown Stadium

Great Britain forward Gareth Ellis cited a lifestyle change and the desire to test himself on the biggest stage for his reasons to quit Super League champions Leeds at the end of the new season.[16][17][18] Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens praised new signing Gareth Ellis on making a decision based purely on a challenge rather than money.[19]

He joined the list of British players who have played for the Wests Tigers joint venture through Balmain Tigers and Western Suburbs Magpies – Andy Currier, Ellery Hanley, Lee Crooks, Garry Schofield and Harvey Howard.[20]

Gareth Ellis became the first Great Britain forward to switch to the NRL since former Sydney Roosters hitman Adrian Morley spent six successful seasons in Australia.[21][22]

Ellis made his NRL début against the Canberra Raiders in round 1 of 2009, and played in 22 games for the season. After not scoring in 2009, he managed 6 tries in 2010. He produced his first off a toe poke from Robbie Farah in round 1, and scored a double against Penrith in round 23 as the team amassed 43 points.

During his second season with the Wests Tigers, Ellis signed an extension until the end of 2013.[23] Coach Tim Sheens said, "In my time here, dollar-for-dollar, he's been the best buy this club has had."[24]

Reduced to 18 appearances in 2011, Ellis made a trip to Britain mid-season, suffering from an ankle injury and home-sickness.[25] However, he played well enough to be named the Wests Tigers Player of the Year for the third consecutive year.[26]

Hull F.C.

It was announced on 28 February 2012 that Ellis was looking to return to Super League in 2013 which has sparked a flurry of interest from Super League clubs to sign the player. On 21 March 2012 it was announced he would be joining Super League club Hull FC.

Ellis Captained Hull F.C. to victory at Wembley in the Challenge Cup in two successive seasons 2016[27][28] & 2017.[29]

However, Ellis returned to the Hull F.C. playing squad after being retired from the sport for 18 months, helping them end a 13 game losing run. Ellis retired for the 2nd and final time at the end of the 2020 Super League XXV season[30]

Representative career

Yorkshire

Gareth Ellis won cap(s) for Yorkshire while at Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

Great Britain

Ellis became Wakefields first player to represent Great Britain for 12 years in 2003. Ellis first played for the Great Britain team in the final test of the 2003 Ashes series.[31]

He has been capped 17 times for Great Britain and in 2007 was named in the International Team of the Year having started in 11 consecutive Tests for the Lions.[16]

England

Ellis was selected for the England squad to compete in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup tournament in Australia.[32] Group A's first match against Papua New Guinea he played as a second-row in England's victory.

He was selected to play for England against France in the one-off test in 2010.[33]

Accolades and awards

In November 2008, Ellis was named at second-row in the inaugural Rugby League International Federation's (RLIF) Team of the Year, tying for the position with Anthony Laffranchi.[34] In 2009 he was placed in the side again.[35]

Ellis was named the Wests Tigers Player of the Year for 2009 and also won the Members Player of the Year.[36] He was nominated for the Golden Boot for his efforts throughout the season.[37] He was again named the Tigers Player of the Year in 2010[38] and 2011.[26]

Footnotes
  1. Stott, Julie (6 October 2010). "England Four Nations Pen Pics". News of the World. UK: News Group Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved 6 October 2010.
  2. "Hull 1st Team Gareth Ellis". Hull FC. Hull FC. 2015. Archived from the original on 24 February 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  3. "Profile at loverugbyleague.com". loverugbyleague.com. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. "Profile at dailytelegraph.com.au". dailytelegraph.com.au. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  5. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  6. "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  7. "Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  8. Paul Fletcher (26 January 2005). "Ellis out to make his mark". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 November 2008.
  9. "Ellis agrees Tigers deal". Sportinglife. 8 February 2008. Retrieved 8 February 2008.
  10. "Hull stun Leeds in Challenge Cup". BBC News. 27 August 2005. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  11. "Marshall extends his contract". Fox Sports News (Australia). 8 February 2008. Archived from the original on 1 July 2007. Retrieved 8 February 2008.
  12. "2008 engage Super League Dream Team". Super League. 15 September 2008. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010. Retrieved 26 September 2008.
  13. "2008 Grand Final". BBC. 4 October 2008. Retrieved 5 October 2008.
  14. Nicolussi, Christian (17 July 2012). "Liam Fulton praises Wests Tigers team-mate Gareth Ellis". Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  15. Chammas, Michael. "State of Origin 2016: David Klemmer reignites feud with Corey Parker". Sydney Morning Herald.
  16. "Rhinos confirm Ellis move for 2009". Leeds Rhinos. 8 February 2008. Retrieved 8 February 2008.
  17. "Ellis pledges to focus on Rhinos". Sportinglife. 8 February 2008. Retrieved 8 February 2008.
  18. "Tigers confirm Marshall retention, Ellis signing". Leaguehq. 8 February 2008. Archived from the original on 13 February 2008. Retrieved 8 February 2008.
  19. "Challenge is the key for Ellis says Sheens". Wests Tigers. 8 February 2008. Archived from the original on 20 February 2008. Retrieved 8 February 2008.
  20. "Wests Tigers sign world's best second rower". Wests Tigers. 8 February 2008. Archived from the original on 20 February 2008. Retrieved 8 February 2008.
  21. "GB's Ellis reportedly signs with Tigers". NRL.com. 8 February 2008. Archived from the original on 12 February 2008. Retrieved 8 February 2008.
  22. "Ellis agrees switch to Australia". BBC. 8 February 2008. Retrieved 8 February 2008.
  23. "Ellis signs up for two more years with Wests Tigers". Sydney Morning Herald. 13 May 2010. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
  24. Daniel Lewis (5 June 2010). "Shades of Hanley as countryman steps up". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
  25. Christian Nicolussi (17 June 2011). "Trip home best medicine for Gareth Ellis". Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  26. "Gareth Ellis is Wests Tigers Player of the Year". Ozzie News. 17 October 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  27. "Hull FC's Jamie Shaul's late try takes Challenge Cup away from Warrington". Guardian. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  28. "Challenge Cup final: Hull FC 12-10 Warrington Wolves". BBC. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  29. "Gareth Ellis: Hull FC captain to retire at the end of the season". BBC Sport. 16 August 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  30. "Gareth Ellis: Hull FC forward announces retirement aged 39". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  31. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/3221273.stm
  32. "Purdham earns World Cup call-up". BBC. 7 October 2008. Retrieved 7 October 2008.
  33. Hadfield, Dave (13 June 2010). "Widdop passes his first Test at a canter". The Independent. UK: Independent Print Limited. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  34. "Slater, Storm dominate awards". Fox Sports (Australia). 17 November 2008. Archived from the original on 31 July 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2008.
  35. "ELLIS NAMED WORLD'S BEST SECOND-ROWER". weststigers.com.au. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
  36. Wayne Cousins. "ELLIS NAMED PLAYER OF THE YEAR". weststigers.com.au. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
  37. "Jarryd Hayne snubbed for Golden Boot". Daily Telegraph (Sydney). 11 November 2009. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
  38. Wayne Cousins. "GARETH ELLIS NAMED WESTS TIGERS PLAYER OF THE YEAR". weststigers.com.au. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
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