Gareth Ellis
Ellis playing for Leeds in 2007
Personal information
Born	3 May 1981 (1981-05-03) (age 28)
	Castleford, Yorkshire, England
Height	189 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	102 kg (16 st 1 lb)
Playing information
Position	Second-row, Lock, Centre
Club
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
2000–2005	Wakefield Trinity Wildcats	111	64	1	0	66
2005–2008	Leeds Rhinos	135	74	1	0	98
2009–	Wests Tigers	22	0	0	0	0
	Total	268	138	2	0	164
Representative
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
2003–2007	Great Britain	17	2	0	0	8
2004–	England	8	0	0	0	0
As of 21 September 2009
Source: League central, Rugby League Project

Gareth Ellis (born 3 May 1981 in Castleford, West Yorkshire) is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League (NRL) competition. He previously played for Leeds Rhinos and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in the European Super League competition. Ellis has represented at international level for Great Britain and England. He primarily plays in the back row.

[edit] Wakefield Trinity Wildcats

Ellis was a junior at Castleford Lock Lane prior to signing for Wakefield's Academy side in 1999, making his first team debut later that year. He broke into the Wildcats team in 2000. He made over 100 appearances for Wakefield and became the club's first player to represent Great Britain for 12 years in 2003.

[edit] Leeds Rhinos

The second row joined the Rhinos from Wakefield in 2005, making his début in the World Club Challenge win over Canterbury Bulldogs.^[1][2] In the same year, Ellis also received Challenge Cup and Super League grand final runners up medals.

Ellis was named in the Super League Dream Team for the 2008 season.^[3]

He played in the 2008 Super League Grand Final victory over St Helens.^[4]

[edit] Representative Football

Ellis 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. ^[5]

He was named in the England squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.^[6]

[edit] Wests Tigers

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

In February 2008, Ellis agreed to a contract with Australian National Rugby League club, Wests Tigers, for a three-year deal commencing in 2009.^[7]

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 Rhinos at the end of the new season. ^[5][8][9] Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens has praised new signing Gareth Ellis on making a decision based purely on a challenge rather than money. ^[10]

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. ^[11]

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. ^[12][13]

[edit] 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.^[14]

Ellis was named the Wests Tigers Player of the Year for 2009 and also won the Members Player of the Year. ^[15]

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] External links

• Profile at leedsrugby
• England profile
• International Statistics at englandrl.co.uk
• Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org
• Gareth Ellis at Wests Tigers