No back seat as rookie Ellis fronts up for media

IT IS an integral part of the All Black media routine that everyone gets exposure and takes his turn in the hot seat. Young and old, shy and verbose, as part of their duty as an All Black all are expected to talk.

Thus it is that this week, because he’s named in the 22 to take on Portugal in Lyon tomorrow, we meet Andy Ellis. Ellis is the surprise packet on this All Black trip, Graham Henry’s joker, if you like.

Piri Weepu was the third scrum-half expected to travel to the World Cup as back-up to Byron Kelleher and Brendon Leonard. Instead, after an impressive tournament with the Junior All Blacks in the IRB Pacific Nations Cup in May/June this year, Henry went for young Ellis.