Marc Ellis (rugby)
Encyclopedia
Marc Christopher Gwynne Ellis (born 8 October 1971) is a New Zealand businessman and television presenter, and former rugby league
and rugby union
player. A graduate of the University of Otago
, his primary business interests are in Charlie's
, a juice company. During the 1995 Rugby World Cup
he scored six tries in the game against Japan
, which is the record for the most tries by an individual in a Rugby World Cup match.
in 1991 when he was playing for the club side University, and he was selected for the NZ Colts. He made a name for himself while playing for Otago, which earned him All Black selection in 1992. Ellis stayed with Otago until 1995 when he switched code to rugby league. In 1998 after two seasons of league, Ellis played for North Harbour in the NPC, where he remained for another two seasons. Ellis played his last season of NPC in 2000 for North Harbour.
, won 51–15 by the All Blacks. A week later he was selected for the test against England where he also played first five. Ellis played his last match of 1993 against the Barbarians. For the 1994 season, Ellis was not selected for the All Blacks and did not attend the NZ trial due to injury, but he did play for the New Zealand XV and New Zealand Universities sides. In 1995 Ellis was re-called to the All Blacks for the World Cup
, playing five games on the wing. He scored seven tries in the tournament, six of them in the 145–17 win over Japan.
Mark Ellis also represented the New Zealand national Rugby League team the 'Kiwis' in 5 matches.
But in league, as he had in union, Ellis suffered from an uncertainty as to which position was his best.
career, but when he returned to rugby union
in 1998 it was only a short time before he was into the Super 12. After playing a solid season for North Harbour
in the NPC Ellis was picked for the Blues, where he played one season. In 1999, after strong seasons with North Harbour
and the Blues, Ellis was named in one of the early training squads for the 1999 Rugby World Cup
, but he was never selected in the final team and played for NZ A instead. In 2000 Ellis played his final Super 12 season for the Highlanders before retiring from rugby.
. Ellis was among many high-profile figures caught in the operation, code-named Aqua. His court appearance put an end to a poorly-kept secret, as despite the fact he had originally obtained name suppression, his identity was widely known by the New Zealand public. Ellis was fined $300.
On 15 November 2007, as part of an elaborate marketing ploy for his latest business venture, Ellis detonated 600 kg of explosives on top of Rangitoto Island
, a nature reserve in Auckland
's Waitemata Harbour
. This created the illusion that the volcanic island was erupting. The New Zealand Department of Conservation described the stunt as "demoralising and very disappointing". There is a total fire ban on the island because of ecological significance.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
and 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. A graduate of the University of Otago
University of Otago
The University of Otago in Dunedin is New Zealand's oldest university with over 22,000 students enrolled during 2010.The university has New Zealand's highest average research quality and in New Zealand is second only to the University of Auckland in the number of A rated academic researchers it...
, his primary business interests are in Charlie's
Charlies (New Zealand)
Charlie's , properly, Charlie's Group Limited, is a New Zealand producer of beverage drinks founded in 1999 by three friends, Marc Ellis, Stefan Lepionka and Simon Neal. Originally the company produced fresh orange juice; in 2001, Charlie's expanded their product range to include a variety of...
, a juice company. During the 1995 Rugby World Cup
1995 Rugby World Cup
The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup. It was hosted and won by South Africa, and was the first Rugby World Cup in which every match was held in one country....
he scored six tries in the game against Japan
Japan national rugby union team
The Japan national rugby union team represent Japan in international rugby union competitions. Japan is traditionally the strongest rugby union power in Asia but has both enjoyed and endured mixed results against non-Asian teams over the years...
, which is the record for the most tries by an individual in a Rugby World Cup match.
NPC
Ellis started out for Otago in the NPCNational Provincial Championship
The National Provincial Championship, or NPC, is the major domestic rugby competition in New Zealand. The NPC has seen many alterations to its format and brand. Since 2006 the National Championship has been split into 2 competitions, the ITM Cup and the Heartland Championship...
in 1991 when he was playing for the club side University, and he was selected for the NZ Colts. He made a name for himself while playing for Otago, which earned him All Black selection in 1992. Ellis stayed with Otago until 1995 when he switched code to rugby league. In 1998 after two seasons of league, Ellis played for North Harbour in the NPC, where he remained for another two seasons. Ellis played his last season of NPC in 2000 for North Harbour.
All Blacks
Ellis first played for the All Blacks in 1992, against a South Australian Invitation XV, then against Australian club and invitation sides. He scored two tries in his first test, in 1993, at first five-eighth against ScotlandScotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
, won 51–15 by the All Blacks. A week later he was selected for the test against England where he also played first five. Ellis played his last match of 1993 against the Barbarians. For the 1994 season, Ellis was not selected for the All Blacks and did not attend the NZ trial due to injury, but he did play for the New Zealand XV and New Zealand Universities sides. In 1995 Ellis was re-called to the All Blacks for the World Cup
1995 Rugby World Cup
The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup. It was hosted and won by South Africa, and was the first Rugby World Cup in which every match was held in one country....
, playing five games on the wing. He scored seven tries in the tournament, six of them in the 145–17 win over Japan.
Rugby league
At the end of the 1995 season Ellis switched to league to play for the Auckland Warriors. Ellis was Warrior number 29 when he played his first match in 1996. He played for the Warriors from 1996–1998, playing 36 matches and scoring 103 points through 11 tries, 29 goals and 1 field goal.Mark Ellis also represented the New Zealand national Rugby League team the 'Kiwis' in 5 matches.
But in league, as he had in union, Ellis suffered from an uncertainty as to which position was his best.
Super 12
Ellis missed out on the first few seasons of the Super 12 due to his rugby leagueRugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
career, but when he returned to 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...
in 1998 it was only a short time before he was into the Super 12. After playing a solid season for North Harbour
North Harbour Rugby Union
The North Harbour Rugby Union , commonly referred to colloquially as North Harbour or simply Harbour, is a provincial rugby team which competes in the ITM Cup , the successor to the country's former domestic competition, the National Provincial Championship .-Area:Harbour Rugby encompasses a...
in the NPC Ellis was picked for the Blues, where he played one season. In 1999, after strong seasons with North Harbour
North Harbour Rugby Union
The North Harbour Rugby Union , commonly referred to colloquially as North Harbour or simply Harbour, is a provincial rugby team which competes in the ITM Cup , the successor to the country's former domestic competition, the National Provincial Championship .-Area:Harbour Rugby encompasses a...
and the Blues, Ellis was named in one of the early training squads for the 1999 Rugby World Cup
1999 Rugby World Cup
The 1999 Rugby World Cup was the fourth Rugby World Cup, and the first to be held in rugby union's professional era. The principal host nation was Wales, although the majority of matches were played outside the country, shared between England, France, Scotland and Ireland...
, but he was never selected in the final team and played for NZ A instead. In 2000 Ellis played his final Super 12 season for the Highlanders before retiring from rugby.
Later life
In 2006 he released his autobiography, Crossing the Line, which details all aspects of his life. Ellis has since co-authored Good Fullas: A Guide to Kiwi Blokes, released in 2010 with friend and New Zealand Consul General to Italy, Charlie Haddrell.Controversy
In 2005 Ellis purchased ecstasy tablets from a drug dealer who was under surveillance by the New Zealand PoliceNew Zealand Police
The New Zealand Police is the national police force of New Zealand, responsible for enforcing criminal law, enhancing public safety, maintaining order and keeping the peace throughout New Zealand...
. Ellis was among many high-profile figures caught in the operation, code-named Aqua. His court appearance put an end to a poorly-kept secret, as despite the fact he had originally obtained name suppression, his identity was widely known by the New Zealand public. Ellis was fined $300.
On 15 November 2007, as part of an elaborate marketing ploy for his latest business venture, Ellis detonated 600 kg of explosives on top of Rangitoto Island
Rangitoto Island
Rangitoto Island is a volcanic island in the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland, New Zealand. The 5.5 km wide island is an iconic and widely visible landmark of Auckland with its distinctive symmetrical shield volcano cone rising 260 metres high over the Hauraki Gulf...
, a nature reserve in Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
's Waitemata Harbour
Waitemata Harbour
The quite famous Waitemata Harbour is the main access by sea to Auckland, New Zealand. For this reason it is often referred to as Auckland Harbour, despite the fact that it is only one of two harbours surrounding the city, and is crossed by the Auckland Harbour Bridge. The Waitemata forms the north...
. This created the illusion that the volcanic island was erupting. The New Zealand Department of Conservation described the stunt as "demoralising and very disappointing". There is a total fire ban on the island because of ecological significance.
External links
- Marc Ellis at rugbymuseum.co.nz
- The Listener 2004 Power List: Ellis is listed as no. 49. Retrieved 27 August 2005.
- Sports Comedy Shows and New Lad Culture in NZ. Retrieved 30 November 2006 from www.sportsfreak.co.nz.
- Marc Ellis joins the Hare Krishnas New Zealand Herald- 27 May 2007
- http://www.warriors.co.nz/page/warriors_1995_2008_player_roster.html
- http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/features/4022866/Marcs-bloke-spotting Sunday Star Times 15 August 2010
- http://www.goodfullas.co.nz/
- http://www.nzwomansweekly.co.nz/books/book-reviews/marc-ellis-good-fullas-marc-ellis-and-charlie-hadd/story/4103232/