TOULOUSE - Andrew Ellis graduates from helper extraordinaire to All Blacks starting halfback for the first time in Saturday's rugby World Cup pool game against Romania here on Saturday.
Ellis is clearly a disciple of starting from the ground up, judging by his attitude through the first threerounds of the competition.
From a playing perspective it has comprised just 27 minutes off the bench against Portugal but it is off the field that the 23-year-old has been at his most active.
"I highly doubt I'd get down about not playing. I'd hold the tackle bag for all seven weeks if I need to," Ellis said.
"I've got the attitude of training really hard, trying to stay as fit as I can and trying to do everything I can for the guys who are starting that week with extras like spotting at weight training.
"That's my attitude, to stay really positive. It's just great to be here."
There were handshakes all round for the fair-haired Cantabrian at training this morning.
His only two tests before this tournament had also been off the bench, against England and France on last year's tour of Europe.
He dropped from the selection frame early this year, struggling to even head off Kevin Senio at the Crusaders, but a good stint with the Junior All Blacks saw his stocks rise.
He was then a bolter when Piri Weepu was surprisingly omitted from the Cup squad.
The four weeks since leaving New Zealand had been a mix of hard work and enjoyment, with efforts to create a relaxed off-field culture a real eye-opener to Ellis.
"Talking to a lot of the older guys, they say it's one of the best trips they've been on," he said.
"We've been away for three weeks now and everyone's still walking around with big smiles on their faces.
"No one's sick of each other, we're still playing cards with each other."
