Ellis wants champion return

Morley backing teammate to thrive Down Under

By Ben Sullivan   Last updated: 31st October 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ellis wants champion return

Ellis in action against PNG

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Gareth Ellis is determined to join the NRL next year as a world champion.

The England centre has signed a two-year contract with Wests Tigers after back-to-back Grand Final wins with Leeds.

Now he is targeting the game's ultimate prize on the home soil of his future employers.

Ellis told Sky Sports: "I wouldn't be doing myself justice or England justice if I was starting to think about Wests Tigers and what's after that, because the opportunity we've got to win a World Cup here is too big to be sidetracked from.

"When I decided to leave and join the NRL the first thing was to win the Grand Final with Leeds and obviously I did that. Now the next thing is to win the World Cup with England. It would be a great way to finish my Super League career and head for the NRL as a world champion."

Ellis' England teammate Adrian Morley is one of the few Englishmen to have made a success of a switch to the NRL in recent times. The Warrington prop played for six years for Sydney Roosters, building a fearsome reputation as one of the game's 'enforcers'.

Morley is confident Ellis can follow in his footsteps.

"I think Gareth will do very well," Morley said. "He's got all the talent and his style of game will suit the NRL. He is a big strong lad, he likes to get the ball in hand and I expect him to go really well."

As for moving Down Under after the World Cup, Ellis added: "It is a daunting prospect leaving your family, but it is a small part of the rest of your life and it is a challenge I am ready for.

"Moz has made a success down there and now I want to see if I can do it myself."