[3] His Super 14 rookie year saw him oust All Black Kevin Senio from the Crusaders starting line-up.

Ellis missed the 2006 Super 14 Final after sustaining a knee injury in the semi-final against the Bulls.

[7] For the 2007 Rugby World Cup Ellis was selected ahead of Wellington halfback Piri Weepu.

Ellis married his wife, Emma Bainbridge, in 2007, after a seven-year relationship.

In 2018 Ellis helped launch Gravity satellite internet for rural New Zealanders with no traditional access to broadband.