Gareth Ellis says 'they aren't supermen'

[JayFS]

England star Gareth Ellis has revealed that his year in Australia has given him fresh belief that Tony Smith’s men can triumph in the Gillette Four Nations.

Ellis, 28, moved to NRL outfit Wests Tigers after competing in last year’s World Cup Down Under.

Former Leeds and Wakefield second-row Ellis will line up against France in Friday’s Four Nations opener, but it is his knowledge of Australian players that has given him the biggest boost in confidence.

‘They’re not the super human people that you often think they are,’ he said. ‘We only ever see them at the end of the year and they come over and put in a performance that makes you think, “Oh God”.

‘That builds up over the years, but the fact that I’ve played over there and realised they make the same mistakes that we all do breaks those barriers down.

‘That’s why I’m more confident going into this year’s Four Nations than I’ve ever been. It’s just a shame it has taken me so long to realise that.’

His England selection reunites Ellis with Smith, his coach when Leeds won the Super League title in 2007, but it is the new faces that have impressed him most. ‘I’ve only been away nine or 10 months and there are already about four or five players in the England squad I’ve never even played against.
‘That shows the rise of the talent in Super League and I think it’s exciting times for British rugby league. People like Richie Myler and Tom Briscoe show how quickly players can come through and impress.’
And he added: ‘Tony had a big impact on me as a person and on me as a player. It’s
great to be back working under him and I’m just looking forward to getting back to playing.

‘It’s something that’s a little bit different for me having not played on British soil for
such a long time. If there’s anything I can help with and assist our team, then I’ll be the first to say, but the key is to focus on our performance to ensure we’re doing everything right.’

DailyMail http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/article-1221110/FOUR-NATIONS-There-wizards-Oz-insists-ex-Leeds-star-Gareth-Ellis.html

 

[Chook Norris]

this is great tbh, it's not like the Aussies are unbeatable.. all it takes is confidence and determination

I'm glad that Ellis has come out and said this, hopefully his teammates have heard him

 

[roughyedspud]

i say it every autumn

 

[miguel de cervantes]

heard it all before

 

[Hanscholo]

You can bully the current side, its been done a couple of times. With Sheens in charge, no doubt that will continue. We are very beatable.

 

[nadera78]

heard it all before

Not really. Usually we get the odd player or two come out and sort of mumble something about Australia being beatable but you can tell they don't really believe it. That's what happens after forty years of getting beaten.

Ellis has been playing out there and seen it for himself.

 

[owend21]

The pommies need a bloke that doesnt fear the aussies.....

 

[Non Terminator]

Would hate to see Ellis bugger up now, but good on the bloke.

 

[no name]

heard it all before

Whats he supposed to do? Throw his hands up and say "we're f**ked"?

 

[roughyedspud]

as i said after the world cup, every single member of the england elite squad needs to be sat down with a sports physcologist to sort their heads out..

 

[bartman]

as i said after the world cup, every single member of the england elite squad needs to be sat down with a sports physcologist to sort their heads out..

And repeat for pretty much all sports... ;-)

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

I think that alot of the problem with Englands lack of success against Australia is largely psychological.

NZ dont have any fear of Australia because of they play in the NRL too. England, because their best players come from the top couple of teams in the Super League, arent used to going all out for the entire 80.

Skill wise, over the years, England/GB have been just behind if not on par with Australia and well ahead of New Zealand, but England fall apart against Australia. I thought last year that England was Australias greatest threat because they had a side that was almost perfectly balanced.

This year England arent balanced, they are based in the forwards, their backs wont offer much. So if Englands plan A fails, theyre done. Meanwhile, Australia can win through their forwads, backs and halves and hookers.

Still, I hope England one day do reach their potiential.
And yes, Gareth Ellis will be near the best, if not the best, player for England this year.

 

[deluded pom?]

And repeat for pretty much all sports... ;-)

Except Test cricket ;-)

 

[Bobby DIGital]

The thing that Gareth and the poms don't realize is this tournament isn't about Australia. It's about the World Champion Kiwis proving our dominance.

 

[Joker's Wild]

The thing that Gareth and the poms don't realize is this tournament isn't about Australia. It's about the World Champion Kiwis proving our dominance.

Like they did in the ANZAC test this year?

 

[Beez]

The Kiwi's may be the World Champions, but they're definately not the world's best.

 

[Misanthrope]

Does anybody take the ANZAC Test seriously aside from the Australian side, though? It's like the British whenever their club wins the World Club Challenge.

 

[Joker's Wild]

Does anybody take the ANZAC Test seriously aside from the Australian side, though? It's like the British whenever their club wins the World Club Challenge.

You dont think the Kiwis take the test seriously?

Would explain their win/loss ratio I guess..

 

[shiznit]

World Cup > ANZAC Test

Therefore.... Kiwis > You

 

[God-King Dean]

Any trash that Ellis talks (not this is) is more credible than what Fielden says about the Aussies. That guys a myth.