Gareth Ellis

{{Short description|Former GB & England international rugby league footballer}}

{{Infobox rugby league biography

|name = Gaz Ellis

|fullname = Gareth Ellis

|image = Gareth Ellis.jpg

|image_size =

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1981|5|3}}{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

|birth_place = Leeds, West Yorkshire, England

|height = {{convert|189|cm|ftin|abbr=on|order=flip}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hullfc.com/first-team/profile/233048/gareth-ellis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224053536/http://www.hullfc.com/first-team/profile/233048/gareth-ellis|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-02-24|title=Hull 1st Team Gareth Ellis|author=|date=2015|website= Hull FC|access-date=17 July 2015}}

|weight = {{convert|16|st|12|lb|kg|abbr=on}}

|position = {{rlp|CE|SR|LF|PR}}

|club1 = {{nowrap|Wakefield Trinity Wildcats}}

|year1start = 1999

|year1end = 04

|appearances1 = 112

|tries1 = 25

|goals1 = 1

|fieldgoals1 = 0

|points1 = 102

|club2 = Leeds Rhinos

|year2start = 2005

|year2end = 08

|appearances2 = 123

|tries2 = 27

|goals2 = 1

|fieldgoals2 = 0

|points2 = 110

|club3 = Wests Tigers

|year3start = 2009

|year3end = 12

|appearances3 = 75

|tries3 = 10

|goals3 = 0

|fieldgoals3 = 0

|points3 = 40

|club4 = Hull F.C.

|year4start = 2013

|year4end = 17

|appearances4 = 99

|tries4 = 21

|goals4 = 0

|fieldgoals4 = 0

|points4 = 84

|club5 = Hull F.C.

|year5start = 2019

|year5end = 20

|appearances5 = 28

|tries5 = 0

|goals5 = 0

|fieldgoals5 = 0

|points5 = 0

|teamA = Great Britain

|yearAstart = 2003

|yearAend = 07

|appearancesA = 17

|triesA = 2

|goalsA = 0

|fieldgoalsA = 0

|pointsA = 8

|teamB = England

|yearBstart = 2008

|yearBend = 12

|appearancesB = 16

|triesB = 2

|goalsB = 0

|fieldgoalsB = 0

|pointsB = 8

|teamC = Yorkshire

|yearCstart =

|yearCend =

|appearancesC =

|triesC =

|goalsC =

|fieldgoalsC =

|pointsC =

|retired = yes

|source = {{cite web|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/stats/players/Gareth-Ellis|title=Profile at loverugbyleague.com|publisher=loverugbyleague.com|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/player-profile?playerid=110024&teamid=3400|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409224102/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/player-profile?playerid=110024&teamid=3400|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 April 2013|title=Profile at dailytelegraph.com.au|publisher=dailytelegraph.com.au|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/gareth-ellis/summary.html|title=Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org|publisher=rugbyleagueproject.org|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Ellis&submit=Go&c=England|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924012121/http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Ellis&submit=Go&c=England|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2015|title=England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk|publisher=englandrl.co.uk|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Ellis&submit=Go&c=GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924012127/http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Ellis&submit=Go&c=GB|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2015|title=Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk|publisher=englandrl.co.uk|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}

|updated = 17 December 2020

}}

Gareth Ellis (born 3 May 1981){{citation needed|date=April 2021}} is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played as a {{rlp|sr|lf}} and {{rlp|ce}} in the Super League and the NRL, and England and Great Britain at international level.

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 {{rlp|ce}}. 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.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

File:Gaerth Ellis.jpg

=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 {{rlp}} in Leeds Rhinos' 39–32 victory.{{cite news|author=Paul Fletcher|work=BBC Sport|title=Ellis out to make his mark|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/4195477.stm|access-date=18 November 2008|date=26 January 2005}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/08/02/08/RUGBYL_Leeds_Ellis.html|title=Ellis agrees Tigers deal|publisher=Sportinglife|date=8 February 2008|access-date=8 February 2008}} Ellis played for Leeds Rhinos in the 2005 Challenge Cup Final at {{rlp|lf}} in their loss against Hull FC.{{cite news|title=Hull stun Leeds in Challenge Cup|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/challenge_cup/4169230.stm|access-date=17 August 2013|newspaper=BBC News|date=27 August 2005}} Ellis also received a 2006 Super League Grand final runners up medal. He played for Leeds Rhinos as a {{rlp|sr}} 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.{{cite news|publisher=Fox Sports News (Australia)|title=Marshall extends his contract|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23179902-23214,00.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070701030735/http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23179902-23214,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 July 2007|access-date=8 February 2008|date=8 February 2008}}

Ellis was named in the Super League Dream Team for 2008's Super League XIII season.{{cite web|url=http://www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=11755|title=2008 engage Super League Dream Team|publisher=Super League|date=15 September 2008|access-date=26 September 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100721195910/http://www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=11755|archive-date=21 July 2010|df=dmy }} He played in the 2008 Super League Grand Final victory over St Helens.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7642170.stm|title=2008 Grand Final|publisher=BBC|date=4 October 2008|access-date=5 October 2008}}

=Wests Tigers=

{{quote box

|width = 27%

|align = left

|quote = "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."

|salign = right

|source = –Liam Fulton{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/liam-fulton-praises-wests-tigers-team-mate-gareth-ellis/story-fnbh0bn2-1226427505130|title=Liam Fulton praises Wests Tigers team-mate Gareth Ellis|newspaper=Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|last=Nicolussi|first=Christian|date=17 July 2012|access-date=17 July 2012}}

}}

{{quote box

|width = 23%

|align = left

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

|salign = right

|source = –Aaron Woods{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/state-of-origin/state-of-origin-2016-david-klemmer-reignites-feud-with-corey-parker-20160523-gp1wb8.html|title=State of Origin 2016: David Klemmer reignites feud with Corey Parker|work=Sydney Morning Herald|last=Chammas|first=Michael}}

}}

Image:Gareth Ellis (26 April 2009).jpg 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/08/02/08/RUGBYL_Leeds_Ellis.html|title=Ellis pledges to focus on Rhinos|publisher=Sportinglife|date=8 February 2008|access-date=8 February 2008}}{{cite web|url=http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/tigers-keep-marshall-sign-ellis/2008/02/08/1202234133533.html|title=Tigers confirm Marshall retention, Ellis signing|publisher=Leaguehq|date=8 February 2008|access-date=8 February 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213043914/http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/tigers-keep-marshall-sign-ellis/2008/02/08/1202234133533.html|archive-date=13 February 2008 }} Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens praised new signing Gareth Ellis on making a decision based purely on a challenge rather than money.{{cite web|url=http://www.weststigers.com.au/NewsArticle.aspx?NewsId=1172|title=Challenge is the key for Ellis says Sheens|publisher=Wests Tigers|date=8 February 2008|access-date=8 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220224313/http://www.weststigers.com.au/NewsArticle.aspx?NewsId=1172|archive-date=20 February 2008|url-status=dead|df=dmy }}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.weststigers.com.au/NewsArticle.aspx?NewsId=1170|title=Wests Tigers sign world's best second rower|publisher=Wests Tigers|date=8 February 2008|access-date=8 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220224302/http://www.weststigers.com.au/NewsArticle.aspx?NewsId=1170|archive-date=20 February 2008|url-status=dead|df=dmy }}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/News/Latest/NewsArticle/tabid/76/NewsId/7814/Default.aspx|title=GB's Ellis reportedly signs with Tigers|publisher=NRL.com|date=8 February 2008|access-date=8 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212143555/http://www.nrl.com/News/Latest/NewsArticle/tabid/76/NewsId/7814/Default.aspx|archive-date=12 February 2008|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/leeds/7233361.stm|title=Ellis agrees switch to Australia|publisher=BBC|date=8 February 2008|access-date=8 February 2008}}

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.{{cite news|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|title=Ellis signs up for two more years with Wests Tigers|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/ellis-signs-up-for-two-more-years-with-wests-tigers-20100512-uwkm.html|access-date=8 June 2010|date=13 May 2010}} Coach Tim Sheens said, "In my time here, dollar-for-dollar, he's been the best buy this club has had."{{cite news|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|title=Shades of Hanley as countryman steps up|author=Daniel Lewis|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/shades-of-hanley-as-countryman-steps-up-20100604-xl0g.html|access-date=8 June 2010|date=5 June 2010}}

Reduced to 18 appearances in 2011, Ellis made a trip to Britain mid-season, suffering from an ankle injury and home-sickness.{{cite news|newspaper=Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|title=Trip home best medicine for Gareth Ellis|author=Christian Nicolussi|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/trip-home-best-medicine-for-gareth-ellis/story-e6frexnr-1226076570842|access-date=3 January 2012|date=17 June 2011}} However, he played well enough to be named the Wests Tigers Player of the Year for the third consecutive year.{{cite news|work=Ozzie News|title=Gareth Ellis is Wests Tigers Player of the Year|url=http://www.ozzienews.com/sport/gareth-ellis-is-wests-tigers-player-of-the-year|access-date=3 January 2012|date=17 October 2011}}

=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{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/27/hull-warrington-challenge-cup-final-match-report|title=Hull FC's Jamie Shaul's late try takes Challenge Cup away from Warrington|publisher=Guardian|date=27 August 2016|access-date=7 November 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/37169016|title=Challenge Cup final: Hull FC 12-10 Warrington Wolves|publisher=BBC|date=27 August 2016|access-date=7 November 2019}} & 2017.{{cite web|title=Gareth Ellis: Hull FC captain to retire at the end of the season|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/40955859|website=BBC Sport|access-date=10 December 2017|date=16 August 2017}}

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{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/55048972|title=Gareth Ellis: Hull FC forward announces retirement aged 39|website=BBC Sport|access-date=8 Dec 2020}}

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.{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/3221273.stm|title = Great Britain in profile|date = 28 October 2003}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/news/news-story.asp?Index=6822|title=Rhinos confirm Ellis move for 2009|publisher=Leeds Rhinos|date=8 February 2008|access-date=8 February 2008}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

=England=

Ellis was selected for the England squad to compete in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup tournament in Australia.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7656553.stm|title=Purdham earns World Cup call-up|publisher=BBC|date=7 October 2008|access-date=7 October 2008}} Group A's first match against Papua New Guinea he played as a {{rlp|sr}} in England's victory.

He was selected to play for England against France in the one-off test in 2010.{{cite news

|last = Hadfield

|first = Dave

|title = Widdop passes his first Test at a canter

|work = The Independent

|place =UK

|publisher = Independent Print Limited

|date = 13 June 2010

|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/widdop-passes-his-first-test-at--a-canter-1999087.html

|access-date = 8 July 2010}}

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.{{cite news|publisher=Fox Sports (Australia)|title=Slater, Storm dominate awards|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24666942-5016947,00.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731044904/http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24666942-5016947,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 July 2012|access-date=18 November 2008|date=17 November 2008}} In 2009 he was placed in the side again.{{cite web|title=ELLIS NAMED WORLD'S BEST SECOND-ROWER|url=http://www.weststigers.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=21186&ellis-named-world%27s-best-second-rower|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121230223651/http://www.weststigers.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=21186&ellis-named-world's-best-second-rower|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 December 2012|access-date=16 November 2009|website=weststigers.com.au}}

Ellis was named the Wests Tigers Player of the Year for 2009 and also won the Members Player of the Year.{{cite web|title=ELLIS NAMED PLAYER OF THE YEAR|author=Wayne Cousins|url=http://www.weststigers.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=20613&ellis-named-player-of-the-year|access-date=1 November 2009|website=weststigers.com.au|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706113931/http://www.weststigers.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=20613&ellis-named-player-of-the-year|archive-date=6 July 2011|df=dmy }} He was nominated for the Golden Boot for his efforts throughout the season.{{cite news|newspaper=Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|title=Jarryd Hayne snubbed for Golden Boot|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/hayne-snubbed-for-golden-boot/story-e6frexnr-1225796345364|access-date=16 November 2009|date=11 November 2009}} He was again named the Tigers Player of the Year in 2010{{cite web|title=GARETH ELLIS NAMED WESTS TIGERS PLAYER OF THE YEAR|url=http://www.weststigers.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=30953&gareth-ellis-named-wests-tigers-player-of-the-year|author=Wayne Cousins|access-date=4 October 2010|website=weststigers.com.au|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308090029/http://www.weststigers.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=30953&gareth-ellis-named-wests-tigers-player-of-the-year|archive-date=8 March 2012|df=dmy }} and 2011.

Footnotes

External links

[http://www.hullfc.com/team/first-team/gareth-ellis Profile at hullfc.com]
(archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/20160702174449/http://www.hullfc.com/team/first-team/gareth-ellis Hull F.C. profile]
(archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/20081117051350/http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=238 Profile at leedsrugby]
(archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/20081010224701/http://www.englandrl.co.uk/england_squad_player.php?id=469 England profile]
(archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/20110706113620/http://www.weststigers.com.au/default.aspx?s=player-profile-display&id=216&team=Wests+Tigers Gareth Ellis at Wests Tigers]
(archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/20160218054859/http://www.rugby-league.com/superleague/player-info/469 Super League profile at rugby-league.com]

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