Andrew "Andy" Ellis is a New Zealand rugby union

Rugby union

Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...

 player who specialises in the position of scrum-half. He currently plays for the Crusaders in the Super Rugby league and Canterbury

Canterbury Rugby Football Union

The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region, in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand...

 in provincial rugby.

Career

In 2005, Ellis was selected for the New Zealand under-21 side

New Zealand national under-21 rugby union team

The New Zealand Under 21's rugby union team is for players aged under 21 as a platform for the All Blacks. The New Zealand Under 21's have joined forces with the New Zealand Under 19's to make the new team New Zealand Under 20's for the all new IRB Junior World Championship...

. His rookie year in the Super 14 saw him oust All Black Kevin Senio

Kevin Senio

Kevin Senio is a New Zealand rugby union professional who currently plays for ASM Clermont Auvergne. Senio is also a former All Black, making his debut after coming on for Piri Weepu against Australia in New Zealand's 34–24 win in the final match of the 2005 Tri Nations Series and is currently a...

 from the Crusaders starting line-up. Ellis was unable to play in the 2006 Super 14 Final

2006 Super 14 Final

The Final of the 2006 Super 14 season, a rugby union competition in the Southern Hemisphere, took place on May 27, 2006 at Jade Stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand. The match was won by the Crusaders 19 points to 12 over the visiting Wellington-based side, the Hurricanes...

 after injuring himself in the semi-final against the Bulls. Ellis was unavailable for selection through injury for the 2006 mid-year tests for the All Blacks

All Blacks

The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....

. He has often been compared to former New Zealand and Canterbury half-back Justin Marshall

Justin Marshall

Justin Warren Marshall, MNZM is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He was born in Mataura and educated in Gore before settling in Christchurch. Marshall played 81 games for the New Zealand All Blacks between 1995 and 2005...

 due to his long blonde hair.

Ellis was named in the All Blacks 2006 End of year tour squad, and made his All Blacks debut against England at Twickenham.http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/866553 Ellis was a surprise selection for the Rugby World Cup 2007, announced 22 July 2007. He was selected ahead of Wellington halfback Piri Weepu

Piri Weepu

Piri Awahou Tihou Weepu is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He plays scrum-half for the All Blacks on international level, Wellington Lions in the National Provincial Championship and the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby. He first won national honours against Wales in 2004...

.

Personal life

Ellis attended Burnside High School

Burnside High School

Burnside High School is the second largest high school in New Zealand with over 2600 students, and is located in the suburb of Burnside in Christchurch, New Zealand.-History:...

.

He is the eldest of three children to Sue and Greg Ellis. He has 2 siblings, Amanda and Simon.

Ellis married his wife, Emma Bainbridge in 2007, after a seven year relationship. In December 2009 they had a daughter, Scarlett.

External links