Why Ellis was happy to leave Japan behind
Former All Black Andy Ellis was thankful his Japanese club didn’t leave him stranded and gave him his marching orders a fortnight ago.
While foreigners at other clubs had to stay in Japan after the Top League domestic competition stopped because of coronavirus, the Kobelco Steelers club granted 28-test halfback Ellis and other Kiwis, including internationals Brodie Retallick and Dan Carter, permission to return to New Zealand.
That ensured Ellis, who last represented the All Blacks in 2015, could get back to Christchurch before the 14-day self-isolation rule was introduced and help prepare his family for the four-week lockdown.
The Ellis family also had to deal with schools being closed in Japan, which led to wife Emma and children Scarlett and Arthur, aged 10 and 5, returning home before Andy.
The first Ellis knew about the Top League being stopped and schools closing was when he received a text. It took him by surprise.
‘‘We were thinking ‘what?’, it is a pretty big call,’’ Ellis said. ‘‘Clearly the Japanese government knew a lot more than everyone else did, and hence the reason they shut it down.’’
There was more turmoil when the Top League was officially suspended because New Zealander Joel Everson, who represents the Hino Red Dolphins, had been arrested for suspected drug use.
Wearing masks in public became a part of the daily routine, social distancing was encouraged and hand sanitisers were ‘‘everywhere’’ as a precautions against the virus.
But public transport continued to function, and some events have still been held.
The Ellis clan still decided to act, and fast; Emma, Scarlett and Arthur would return to New Zealand while Andy stayed behind.
Then the club, which has former All Blacks coach Wayne Smith as its director of rugby, told the Kiwi contingent to leave Japan and reunite with their families.
Ellis, 36, didn’t need to be asked twice. Richard Buckman, Hayden Parker, Tom Franklin, Matt Vant Leven, Retallick and Carter are the other Kiwis at Kobelco.
‘‘Also our Japanese director is a very forward thinking guy, a little bit more new-age I suppose,’’ Ellis noted.
‘‘He said ‘yep, jump on a plane boys’. We were very lucky he let us leave, while a lot of other guys have been stuck over there. Which will be a frustrating time for them, because they have families and there is
‘‘Kiwis are a pretty relaxed lot. This is one time we have got to park that a little bit.’’
Andy Ellis
starting to be talk of borders closing and a lack of flights.’’
This is, most likely, Ellis’s final season as a professional rugby player.
Everything’s in limbo, for now. He had hoped to finish-up in Japan in May, and had been invited to represent the Barbarians against England in London in June.
With the Six Nations and European club competitions shut down, it’s uncertain whether he can round off his career in front of a packed Twickenham. For now, he’s pleased his club put the players first.
‘‘I was talking to DC [Dan Carter] the other day and he’s the same as me. We are both excited to get back there, as our way of saying ‘thanks for looking after us’.’’
When the schools shut down in Japan, the Ellis clan worked out it was best establish a routine and exercise on a regular basis.
‘‘Keeping it constant, it goes a long way to actually getting through it and enjoying the time,’’ Ellis said.
‘‘Kiwis are a pretty relaxed lot. This is one time we have got to park that a little bit and make a sacrifice here, not to head out and cruise around.
‘‘This is one time we can use that stubborn side of us, that we Kiwis have, and just knuckle in and decided to dig in for four weeks.’’