Umaga brings in home boy Ellis
Originally from Putaruru in Waikato, Ellis is highly respected and returns on the back of coaching at the Connacht club in Ireland, who won the Pro12 title for the first time last season. Ellis was approached to join Connacht in Ireland three years ago, taking charge of skills coaching and player development.
He ventured overseas when he was 22, playing rugby in several countries before moving into coaching initially in New Zealand and a number of contracts around the world specialising in skills development.
He was a member of the coaching staff at the International Rugby Academy in New Zealand for 11 years and was a resource coach for the NZRU in that time. He worked with the Black Ferns, USA, the Rugby Academy in South Africa, Hong Kong Rugby and with several clubs in Argentina.
Blues coach Tana Umaga said Ellis stood out as the best candidate for an important role at the Blues and will make a welcome addition to the club.
He completes the Blues coaching group that is led by Umaga who will take charge of attack, Alastair Rogers (defence), Steve Jackson (forwards), Kylie Wilson (mental skills) and Jason Price (strength and conditioning).
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