New TV star Andy 'I THOUGHT BEIN AN ALL BLACK WAS TOUGH!' Кро

It was a big shift channelling his talent into the hit show Moving Houses, but the sporting legend is a natural

Former All Black Andy Ellis is used to his two worlds colliding – his past as a top-class rugby player, and his present as a passionate lover of design and architecture.

Chatting to the Weekly over Zoom from his local Christchurch park, Andy, the new host of TVNZ 1’s hit show Moving Houses, has to excuse himself for a second as a rugby fan wants to snap a selfie with the star.

“Sorry about that,” laughs the 40-year-old, who is a longtime fan favourite of Crusaders rugby, with 154 appearances for the team between 2006 and 2016, alongside his 28-test career for the All Blacks.

As well as being a legendary rugby player, Andy is also an author and an award-winning gardener, so he’s no stranger to working in the great outdoors. But he admits his latest challenge, picking up the presenting mantle from former Moving Houses host Clarke Gayford, has been one of the most challenging roles he’s had in his time.

“I’ve never presented a TV show before and I’ll tell you, it’s different gravy, man,” he says, shaking his head. “I’ve done bits and bobs before for New Zealand Rugby, as well as social media and stuff, but that’s all authentic and off the cuff.

“This is learning lines, being prepped and learning so much new stuff. It’s been a steep learning curve and very far outside my comfort zone.”

“I’m so lucky we had a patient crew,” he admits. “My first-ever piece to camera was a walk along a gorgeous cliff face and it was only about two paragraphs, but it took me 65 takes!