Glen Ella wants instant impact with England in Australia
Wednesday 8 June 2016 00:27, UK
Glen Ella says England are determined to show against Australia that northern hemisphere attacks are not limited.
Former Wallaby full-back Ella has been installed as the Grand Slam champions' skills coach for the three Tests that begin in Brisbane on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
Live International Rugby Union
He was approached to take up the position by Eddie Jones - a friend since the pair were five and a former Randwick team-mate - during the Six Nations.
The 57-year-old has been entrusted with the task of adding a new dimension to England, while acting as a sounding board to players keen to learn from a respected voice in the game.
England and their Six Nations counterparts are derided by some in the southern hemisphere for their reliance on the set-piece at the expense of the vision and guile associated with Australia and New Zealand.
Ella, however, is reminded of the emergence of Wallabies greats such as George Gregan and Matt Giteau when working with the players he must now help guide to victory over his homeland.
He said: "It's definitely the perception down here of England playing a structured game and we want to prove that wrong. These guys are good, they've got great skills.
"In Australia they don't give any credit to the northern hemisphere. They think Super Rugby is much better than the Six Nations. While some of that could be true, it's up to us to prove that it's not.
"England are coming down here to test themselves. In a couple of years' time, they want to be the best in the world. With Eddie behind them I think they've got a good chance.
"To do that they've got to play the southern hemisphere teams and that's just the way it is. Their skill levels are really good. I've been really impressed with the squad in general.
"Their work ethic is fantastic. They're a young squad, they want to learn and they want to win. It's similar to when the likes of George Gregan and Stephen Larkham were coming through the system.
"I was assistant to Rod Macqueen in 2000 and 2001 and then to Eddie in 2003. The likes of Matt Giteau were coming into the system.
"The England players are similar because they're young, they want to learn and they want to be successful."
Ella has only agreed an initial three-week contract but is confident of producing results quickly and he added: "It's only for the tour I don't want to think about doing anything else
"Let's hold on until after the tour and we'll go after that. We've had two field sessions and during one it was pouring with rain. On Monday was the first time we've had a good blow-out.
"The impact is minimal at this stage but hopefully, come the third Test, they'll be switched on and moving. You do need time to change. You're not going to make massive increments over one session.
"I'm just helping the guys along at this stage, giving them some hints, having a look at their running lines and adjusting them as I see fit.
"I hope I can have some influence so that by the time they come to Sydney they'll be playing the way Eddie wants them to play."
