Shy schoolboys whose talent shook the world
The Rugby Paper|April 19, 2020
Brendan Gallagher delves into some of rugby’s most enduring images, their story and why they are still so impactful
Brendan Gallagher
Shy schoolboys whose talent shook the world

What’s happening here

It’s September 5, 1977 and three young unknown Aborigine kids have pulled over for a quick picture after an Aussies Schools fitness camp in Waverley ahead of their tour to Britain. In the middle is Gary Ella, just 17, who has his arms around twin brothers Glenn and Mark who are both 18. Glenn is on the left as we look.

Just a week before this picture was taken they were resigned to not making the trip which at A$750 a head was way too expensive for a family of modest means whose parents had 12 children to feed, but then a mysterious benefactor who signed himself Harry Ella send a cheque totalling A$2,250 to their school to cover the cost of their trip. In the last-minute rush before departure the brothers wrote heartfelt thankyou notes and left them with the secretary at Matraville School but Harry Ella – if that was his name – never did make himself known. A shame because his generosity helped change the course of Australian rugby.

Despite the big smiles they were nervous. Nobody was quite sure how good the Aussie Schools were as they embarked on their most ambitious ever tour. Their coaches felt they were an exceptional crop but everybody, including the three Ella brothers, had missed their cue at an important trial game a few weeks earlier when New South Wales Schools First XV – with Gary in midfield – lost 6-3 in a stodgy old game against New South Wales Schools Second XV who had Glenn and Mark on board. That nervous error-strewn encounter had dampened down expectations.

This story is from the April 19, 2020 edition of The Rugby Paper.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the April 19, 2020 edition of The Rugby Paper.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE RUGBY PAPERView All
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
The Rugby Paper

Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy

TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 03, 2024
South America look to keep on building
The Rugby Paper

South America look to keep on building

AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Scarratt excited by new pathway
The Rugby Paper

Scarratt excited by new pathway

ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Baxter: I want to make things better
The Rugby Paper

Baxter: I want to make things better

ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
The Rugby Paper

Pearce walks in his father's footsteps

PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 03, 2024
New England group will cause uncertainty
The Rugby Paper

New England group will cause uncertainty

SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Galthie turns his sights to the future
The Rugby Paper

Galthie turns his sights to the future

FRANCE head coach Fabien Galthie offered the clearest hint yet of Les Bleus' future on Wednesday, when he released 19 players back F to their clubs for the ninth and final Top 14 round before the international break.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson
The Rugby Paper

Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson

CAMERON Anderson has hailed the impact made by defence coach Jason Gilmore, below, since he arrived at The Stoop in the summer.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath
The Rugby Paper

Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath

BATH secured a thumping away success in the opening match of their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign against Ampthill at Dillingham Park.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 03, 2024
New faces take the plaudits for Saints
The Rugby Paper

New faces take the plaudits for Saints

NORTHAMPTON handed out a thorough lesson to a tame Leicester team in this one-sided East Midlands derby to launch the Premiership Cup.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 03, 2024