| Born | Mark Gordon Ella (1959-06-05)5 June 1959 (age 66) La Perouse, New South Wales, Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| School | Matraville High School,Sydney | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Glen Ella (brother) Gary Ella (brother) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Mark Gordon Ella,AM[1] (born 5 June 1959) is an indigenous Australian formerrugby union footballer. Ella played atflyhalf/five-eighth and was capped by theWallabies 25 times, captainingAustralia on 10 occasions.
Ella made his debut tour with the Wallabies on the1979 Australia rugby union tour of Argentina. He would later make his Test debut for Australia during the1980 Bledisloe Cup Test series, in which the Wallabies defeated theAll Blacks two games to one – the first three-Test series victory Australia against New Zealand since 1949, the first series victory over the All Blacks on Australian soil since 1934, and the first occasion the Wallabies successfully retained theBledisloe Cup. In 1982, Ella was made captain of the Australia national rugby union team and he would go on to captain the Wallabies on 10 occasions from 1982 to 1983. AfterArthur Beetson, he was the second indigenous Australian to captain a national sports team. Ella captained a depleted Australian team on the1982 Australia rugby union tour of New Zealand, which the Wallabies would lose one game to two against the All Blacks. However, Australia scored 316 points in 14 matches on tour, including 47 tries. Ella is perhaps most famous for his performances on the1984 Australia rugby union tour of Britain and Ireland, during which Australia achieved rugby union'sGrand Slam by defeating theHome Nations in four consecutive Tests, with Ella scoring one try in each Test.
He and his brothersGlen (his twin) and Gary were educated atMatraville High School, where they learned to play rugby. All three went on to play for the Australia national team. Mark also played forRandwick andNew South Wales domestically.[citation needed]
Bob Dwyer, former coach of theWallabies, in his first autobiographyThe Winning Way, claimed Ella to be one of the five most accomplished Australian players he had ever seen.Dwyer hailed Ella as number one "for mastery of the game's structure".[2] This is perhaps due toDwyer's perspective on thefive-eighth's role: "Afive-eighth's primary function is to draw defence and so open up space for the runners outside him."[3] This conveys how Ella approached playing thefive-eighth position.
Ella's approach to playing thefive-eighth position was unique and different from that of any otherfive-eighth of his era, and involved many obvious characteristics different from those of hisfive-eighth contemporaries.Gareth Edwards writes in100 Great Rugby Players that: "Firstly, he stands closer to hisscrum-half than most otherstand-off halves I have played with or against, so that he pullsback row forwards on him at an angle which makes it hard for them to change direction, once he has released possession, to harass the midfield".[4] Ella describes the distance from which he stood from thescrum-half in his bookRunning Rugby, "Generally, I stood about 5 metres from thehalfback and about 4 metres behind him. According to the old formula for the right-angled triangle, this means I was no more than 3 metres wide of him".[5]
Relatively straight running was a distinguishable trait associated with Ella's game. This was intended to draw defenders towards him at a certain angle and help unleash his teammates into gaps. Ella wrote:
Standing flat demands exceptional ball handling skills, which were a hallmark of Ella's game. Ella's dependable hands were lauded by former Scottish rugby internationalNorman Mair inThe Scotsman: "Ella has hands so adhesive that when he fumbled a ball against Scotland (in 1984) you would not have been surprised to see those Australians of the appropriate religious persuasion cross themselves."[6]
Concerning the manner in which Ella regularly received the ball from his scrum-half; Ella gave no quarter to the speed at which the ball was delivered to him, regardless of how close he stood, trusting in his ability to safely hold the ball. Ella writes: "Once you have positioned yourself, the next thing is to demand a fast pass from the halfback. The quicker the ball reaches you the better, for every fraction of a second is important to the five-eighth, given that the opposition can be on top of him in less than two seconds. I used to insist on having the ball passed to me like a rocket."[7]
Ella possessed a distinguishing trait of instantaneously igniting a backline movement. His vision and ability to 'read the play' is evidenced by his much-vaunted passing game. Gareth Edwards notes, "Next, he wastes no strides holding the ball he does not want to use, and flips it instantly on its way towards the wide open space down the touchline where danger-men likeDavid Campese prowl..."[4] Continuing his appraisal of Ella inThe Scotsman, Mair wrote: "In his deft handling, the ball is often on in a fraction of a second".[6] TheLondon Observer described Ella as "the detonator which explodes the brilliance of the Australian backs at critical moments."[6]
This, however, does not entail Ella passing the ball as fast as possible. The execution of Ella's backline ploys were expertly controlled by the timing and speed of his passes. Ella writes: "Quick passes are often a sign that the five-eighth is not reading the play. He (the five-eighth) is throwing a quick pass automatically, believing this is what he ought to be doing, without making an assessment of the play and of the opportunities that might exist at that moment. By doing so, he is handing the initiative back to the opposition".[8]
Mair concluded his appraisal of Ella's form in the famous1984 Grand Slam tour inThe Scotsman, stating: "Nothing about the football of the likable Ella excels his backing up. His ability to materialise in a given spot is of the spirit world".[6] The extent to which Ella supported his teammates has been gauged by Gareth Edwards who wrote that, "In rugby the word 'link-man' is almost a cliché, yet it is the term I must choose to sum up Mark's gifts."[4] Edwards continues writing that:
Throughout his career, Ella's ability to 'keep the ball alive' resulted in many remarkable tries. Such "faultless positional play in support",[9] resulted in a continuity of play which was regarded by many to have tremendous entertainment value. In100 Great Rugby Players, Gareth Edwards concludes his writings on Ella by stating: "In this book, we are mainly concerned with players' outstanding ability to play the game, but it is worth adding here that Mark Ella provided tremendous entertainment to spectators, as well as demonstrating his skills".[10]
Ella came into contention for national selection during the1979 Ireland rugby union tour of Australia that included two Tests. On 26 May 1979, Ella played for New South Wales inIreland's third tour game which NSW lost 12–16. Ella also played for Sydney in Ireland's seventh tour game, which Sydney won 16–12. Irish captain and flankerFergus Slattery stated, following the tour, that Mark Ella was the Australian five-eighth who troubled Ireland the most.
Ella was again overlooked for national selection for Australia's one-off Bledisloe Cup Test in 1979 against New Zealand, which Australia won 12–6 in a tryless Test.[11]
Following Australia's 1979 Bledisloe Cup victory,Bob Templeton replacedDave Brockhoff as coach of the Australia national rugby union team. With Australia scoring one try in their past three Tests, Templeton selected Ella for the1979 Australia rugby union tour of Argentina. Ella made his debut for the Wallabies during their second touring match against Interior on 16 October 1979, scoring a try in a 47–12 win.[12] Ella played in Australia's fourth touring match againstRosario, which Australia won 21–13.[13]
Ella almost achieved national selection for the first Test following injuries toPaul McLean andRoger Gould.[13] The possibility arose that the Australian selectors might move incumbent five-eighthTony Melrose to fullback, allowing Ella to fill the five-eighth role.[13] However, McLean played fullback with a broken wrist in plaster, denying Ella the possibility of playing his first Test for Australia.[13] Between the first and second Australian Tests against Argentina, Ella played in Australia's last provincial match againstCuyo, won 43–4.[14]
In 1980 Australia's incumbent five-eighth, Tony Melrose, turned professional to play rugby league. Following this, Ella was selected for the1980 Australia rugby union tour of Fiji. Ella was a surprise omission at five-eighth for Australia's one-off Test against Fiji in 1980, after Queensland five-eighth Paul McLean was selected at fullback against Fiji. However, Sydney University's five-eighthMichael Hawker was chosen ahead of Ella for the five-eighth position.
In 1980 the Wallabies retained the Bledisloe Cup with a 2–1 series victory over the All Blacks. The 1980 Bledisloe Cup Test series victory was the Wallabies' first three-Test series victory over the All Blacks since 1949, and their first three-Test series victory against the All Blacks on Australian soil since 1934.
Ella played against the All Blacks in their first touring match against Sydney that was drawn 13-13, in which Ella received the man of the match award.[15] Prior to Australia's first Test against New Zealand in 1980, incumbent Australian outside centerAndrew Slack withdrew from the Australian side due to injury.[16] The selectors picked three former players from the 1977/78 Australian Schoolboys to comprise Australia's mid-field – Mark Ella at five-eighth, Michael Hawker at inside centre, and Michael O'Connor at outside centre.[15] O'Connor was originally slated to play on the wing outside of Slack.[16]
Making his debut for the Wallabies, Ella "opened the scoring with a dropped goal" on his non-preferred right boot. With the scores tied at 9–9, Ella set-up a try for Australian wingerMick Martin by looping Michael Hawker. Australia went on to win the first Test 13–9.[17]
Australia lost the second Test 9–12.[18]
Prior to Australia's third Test against New Zealand in 1980, Queensland five-eighth Paul McLean played in a historic Queensland victory over New Zealand (9–3), thus challenging Ella for Test selection. However, Ella was retained for the third Test against New Zealand with McLean selected on the bench.[18]
The third Test against New Zealand in 1980 contained one of the most famous moments of Mark Ella's rugby career – his "around-the-body-pass." Ella's biographer Bret Harris documents that:
Four minutes following Ella's "around-the-body-pass" he kicked his second drop-goal in international rugby, once again on his non-preferred right foot. The final score of 26-10 marked what was Australia's then largest victory over New Zealand.
Following Australia's famous victory over New Zealand in 1980, Ella was dropped from the Australian side for Queensland five-eighth Paul McLean following Queensland's dominance over New South Wales in their interstate contests during 1981.
Australian coach Bob Templeton is reported later explaining Ella's omission saying that, "The French were a far more volatile team than the All Blacks and we had to change our approach accordingly. Any loose ball or mistakes could be dynamite. So we were probably a little more conservative."
Australia narrowly won the first Test 17-15 without Ella. Paul McLean kicked one goal from seven attempts.
Following the first Test against Queensland, Roger Gould was selected to play fullback for the second Test, replacing Geoff Richards. However, Gould had to withdraw from the second Test due to injury. Forced to re-organise the Australian side, Wallabies coach Bob Templeton selected incumbent five-eighth Paul McLean at fullback for the second Test against France, and reinstated Mark Ella at the five-eighth position.
In the 57th minute of the Test, Ella created a try for Australian outside centre Michael O'Connor by looping his inside centre Michael Hawker.
McLean kicked four penalty goals and two conversions.
...
In 1984 questions were asked of Mark's suitability to lead the Wallabies and so the Queenslander Andrew Slack was given the captaincy instead. After a narrow defeat against the All Blacks the Wallabies toured the UK and achieved victory in all 4 tests. Mark achieved a "Grand Slam" by scoring a try in every test match of the series, something that he had also accomplished on the 1977/78 Australian Schoolboys tour. At age 25, Ella stunned the rugby world by announcing his retirement, turning down many big money offers in the process.[citation needed]
Ella is now a director of the Sports and Entertainment Group. In 2005 he was honoured as one of the inaugural five inductees into the Australian Rugby Union Hall of Fame.[20] In 1997 he was inducted into theInternational Rugby Hall of Fame.[21]
In 2007 he published hiseponymous autobiography, co-written with journalistBret Harris.[22]
In January 2010 Ella commenced work with thePort Macquarie-Hastings Council as sports and events manager. He left the role to return to a coaching role with the Wallabies in October of the same year.[23]
Ella works atNITV, Australia's free-to-air Indigenous television station. In 2011 he became Executive Producer and Head of NITV Sport,[24] where "highlighting Indigenous sporting achievement has been a driving force behind the ... Barefoot Sports program."[25]
In July 2021, Ella agreed to donate his collection of five jerseys from the famous 1984 Wallabies grand slam tour to the Australian Rugby Museum, which is currently in development.[26]
InOn a Wing and a Prayer former Australian wingerDavid Campese called Ella "the best rugby player I have ever known or seen."[27] He reiterated this contention inMy Game Your Game by calling Ella, "The greatest player I have ever seen, or had the pleasure of playing alongside."[28]
During the1984 Australia rugby union tour of Britain and Ireland, AustralianfullbackRoger Gould rated Ella "withBrendan Moon as the best Australian player I've seen."[29]Michael Hawker, who played with Ella at insidecentre said, "Mark Ella was one of the greatest players– or probablythe greatest player– I've ever seen."[30] He also contended that Ella changed precepts on how the game could be played.[31]Simon Poidevin wrote inFor Love Not Money that, "Mark Ella remains the most talented rugby player I have ever seen."[32] In 2024, Poidevin was quoted saying, "Mark Ella was the most naturally talented player I either played with or against – Mark didn’t like training hard but on the field, he was a genius who tackled superbly and bamboozled opposition defences with magic hands and incredible vision. As a backrower, it was always the best idea to hang close to Mark in attack as he could make you look really good with his offloads."[33]
Rugby league playerWally Lewis, who playedrugby union with Ella in the 1977/78 Australian Rugby Union Schoolboys side, called Ella the best player he's seen inrugby union orrugby league.[31] Dual internationalMichael O’Connor, who played with Ella at insidecentre, outsidecentre andwing forAustralia, considers Ella the best player he ever played with – inrugby league orrugby union.[31] InThe Best of Both WorldsO'Connor is quoted saying that: 'Mark Ella was a genius. He was the best player I played with or against in both codes. He could sum up a situation instinctively... If I said to Mark "Okay let's run it", no problem– the next moment you'd have the ball in your hands... I don't think I’ve ever called for the ball from Mark and not received it.'[34] InElla: The Definitive Biography,O'Connor further added that: 'I still think he is the best player I played outside of. I enjoyed playing outside him. Such good service. Good, quick ball. You knew playing outside Mark something was on every time. Have a crack. You won't die wondering.'[35]
In 2002 former Welsh eightmanEddie Butler, who played against Ella in 1984, ranked Ella at number one in his list of the 10 best fly-halves in the history of rugby union.[36] In 2003, Butler called Ella his "all-time favourite player" and asserted he was "... by a long way the most influential player of his generation. Just took the passing game and the support game and the reading game and just stretched, stretched them into new areas."[37] In 2020, formerEngland fly-halfStuart Barnes ranked Ella the third greatestfive-eighth of all time, behind All BlackDan Carter andWales'Phil Bennett.[38]
He was made aMember of the Order of Australia (AM) in the1984 Australia Day Honours for services to rugby,[39] and was inducted into theSport Australia Hall of Fame in 1987.[1][40] He received aCentenary Medal and anAustralian Sports Medal in 2001.[41][42] In 2013, Ella was inducted into theIRB Hall of Fame.[43]
In 2013 Australian sports magazineInside Rugby named its four AustralianInvincibles – a rugby union equivalent of rugby leaguesImmortals. Mark Ella was named alongsideCol Windon,Ken Catchpole and David Campese as the firstInvincibles of Australian rugby.[44]
| Preceded by | Australia national rugby union team captain 1982–1984 | Succeeded by |
