NEW ZEALAND

News | Profile | Anthem | Fixtures | Results

Ellis relishing All Black chance

Tuesday 24th June 2008

Eyes on the prize: Ellis is keen to make the number nine jersey his own

Crusaders scrum-half Andy Ellis looks set to head into the upcoming Tri-Nations as New Zealand's first choice number nine.

With Byron Kelleher plying his trade in France and Brendon Leonard set for surgery on his ongoing knee injury Ellis has jumped from third to first in the pecking order.

After a shaky performance in the first Test against England Ellis turned in a much better effort in the second Test, but now needs to find consistency in his performances.

With the All Blacks currently dispersed before launching their Tri-Nations campaign against the Springboks on July 5, Ellis has revealed a change of attitude has helped him develop.

"While you try and approach the game really relaxed and stuff, it is an All Black Test, which can be a bit overwhelming," Ellis told Xtra.

"So it is about being able to deal with that.

"For the first couple of Tests you are really pumped and that is overwhelming. But like I say, now I know what it is about, I understand it a bit better and can approach the game as I would say a Super 14 game.

"I am more relaxed and in control a bit more.

"It is great, it has been really good. The combinations are starting to work really well. It does take a couple of weeks.

"I am not as anxious as I have been in the past. That helps. I am feeling comfortable now to have a crack and play the kind of game you want to play."

Having made his debut in 2006 Ellis has gone on to win seven caps to date and will be looking to add to that total during the Tri-Nations.

Ellis believes the departure of Kelleher, who was first choice scrum-half, has meant other players chasing the number nine jersey have been forced to improve their game.

Leonard was named in the initial 26-man All Black squad but has been replaced to date by Jimmy Cowan due to his injury. Cowan came off the bench in the second Test to score the final try against England.

"It is just a change of scene with having such an experienced half-back leaving," Ellis said.

"I would like to think that anyone of the three of us could step in and do the job well.

"We have quality players inside and outside of us who make our job a lot easier.

"I suppose it is just a new start. There are a lot of changes and it is quite an exciting time for All Black rugby.

"It is great. Between all three of us, we all help each other with our drills and stuff like that.

"But at the same time, it is all good competition.

"Jimmy is a bloody good competitor and it is good to have someone like him around and always challenging you to grow your game and be better yourself."

Clearly enjoying being in the number nine jersey, Ellis has praised his pack for making his job a lot easier.

"Defensively and when it is our ball, it is great," Ellis said.

"We hit hard and kind of manipulate them to where we want them to be. That is great.

"At the same time on our ball, we get good ball sitting at the back of our scrum. It is not bobbling around everywhere.

"So it is pretty awesome to have a forward pack like what we have got."