Who is arguably the best player to have pulled on the gold of the Wallabies in the last century? John Eales? Stephen Larkham? David Campese? Nick Farr-Jones? Tim Horan?
I would hope that many of you could agree with me that Mark Ella is probably the greatest player to have played for the Wallabies in the last century.
He was one of the greatest proponents of running rugby to ever pull on a jersey. Mark, along with Larkham, were two of the best playmakers this country has ever produced.
Even after his retirement Larkham is making a splash – look what happened when Jake White and Larkham came together at the Brumbies. They went from cellar dwellers to the edge of the finals in one season.
I think the emergence of Lealiifano is down to the mentoring he received from Larkam. I think Lealiifano will only continue to get better under the tutelage of “Bernie”.
With the current state of Australian rugby, I think it’s time to send an SOS to Mark Ella. Can you imagine if the Wallabies fly halves were being mentored by the best fly half Australia has ever produced?
Imagine Mark Ella being the Wallabies backs coach imagine the things Mark could do with players like Digby Ioane, Kurtley Beale and James O’Connor.
Perhaps he could even create some magic from Quade Cooper and Berrick Barnes. The Wallabies forwards have never been dominant in international rugby, so perhaps Ella could teach our fly halves how to deal with it.
If he was not interested in coaching the Wallabies, perhaps a grass roots program would tickle his fancy, the sort that Campese has attempted to create. Imagine the next generation of Australian running fly halves mentored and coached by Mark Ella.
I get chills even imagining it.
I think it is a crying shame that one of the greatest rugby minds of our century is no longer contributing to Australian rugby.
I understand if he is doing this by choice but surely if it was even remotely possible, mountains should be moved to allow such an inspirational and legendary player back into the fold.
Mark could help the Wallabies back to the top of the rugby world.
On a another note, it is a crime that the ARU is making it so difficult for Campese to pass on his experience and enthusiasm for the game onto the next generation. So difficult in fact that he has no choice but to go abroad and help other nations expand their rugby.
Campese and Ella were the legends I grew up hearing about, my father telling me stories of these guys making something from nothing and pulling wins from the jaws of defeat.
These are the guys that made me want to play rugby.
Not only would these two legends bring huge levels of experience and help to the players they coached they would also bring much needed publicity to a sport starved of exposure.
Mark Ella, Stephen Larkam and David Campese should be in a coaching capacity in Australia at some level as these ex-players have so much to offer to the next generation.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
You'd have to think that the likes of Mark Ella & David Campese would be sitting in from of the tele watching a Test and just chock full of ideas of what the Wallabies could have / should have tried to breach the defense. :) I think too many people reason that just because they played yesteryear, that they have nothing to offer today or tomorrow. I say 'why not'? Where's the evidence of that?
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Unless it's illegal, it's not theft but rather Adopt and Adapt. ;)
amband
Guest
Simon Poidevan, Ray Price, Daly Kearns McKensie as a unit, the Ellas, Greg Davis, Ken Catchpole
Crazy Horse
Guest
For mine it has to be Campese although the Ella Brothers are up there. None of the current crop, except maybe Sharpe, would get a game in that team. Mybe when they grow up, but not now.
El Gamba
Roar Guru
Ella wrote a good book - "Running Rugby" from memory. I could be wrong. I still have it somewhere I think.
El Gamba
Roar Guru
And it's not just the loop that worked so well for Ella, it was how hard he worked for a second and third touch. This principle is timeless.
JBees
Guest
Agree, the knowledge and skills these kids will be getting from this wallaby great will be invaluable and will only benefit the wallabies in the future...got to start somewhere :)
Merino
Guest
Robbie Deans,Oh Sorry,Ill have to wait till the topic is best Australian Rugby Union Coach
Bakkies
Guest
Great Rugby brain and from reports a top bloke. Commentates for Sky in the UK and I think he resides in Italy
rae1
Guest
'...albeit to a lesser degree" [sic] He's doing plenty, its just not with the wonder boys.
herbert badgery
Guest
Agree with lots written here, but if pushed for a single best player, I can't go past Tim Horan. Other players had bigger impacts perhaps (as captains, kickers, scavengers, playmakers, etc) but I just don't think anyone could actually play rugby as well as he could.
lock-n-loada
Roar Rookie
i think Mark Ella has selected the indigenous side for the the national u16 tournament in Sydney, so is contributing, albeit to a lesser drgree
Bakkies
Guest
Jonathan Sexton uses a basic loop at Leinster with BOD on the receiving end. It's Sexton's pet play. Well he did have David Knox as his backs coach for a while.
Rip Van Winkle
Guest
Mark Ella was nearly as big a thief of rugby league ideas as Rod Macqueen.
Slim Jim
Guest
Hi CJ , You make some good points yes the Ella's & Campos of this world should be utilized more. I think you'll find that Mark Ella was used as a consultant in 2010 early in the international season on request of Robbie Deans and how well did we go that year. We beat the All Blacks in Hong Kong , took them to the line in Melbourne & I think in all scored 49 tries for the season . Wether it was Mark Ella's influence we will never know .
Mantis
Roar Guru
you love a big comment dont you johnno
Kippa
Guest
Noddy.
Johnno
Guest
No andy slack sheek brave man. brett papworth and the Burke brothers should be pushing for a spot as well as andrew leeds.
Johnno
Guest
Uncle with your worst wallabies list why don't we thrown in David Nucifora lol . 2 tests off the bench lol
Johnno
Guest
lol Uncle we are all getting funny now i will add brett papworth too the list too he had real talant as did the Burke brothers and brian smith and james grant and ian williams lol. So much trivia now. Oh and damien smith too, he sends a big giddy to campo lol .