James Hudson is just like Ellery Hanley

Nov 23 2010 by Mark Smith, The Journal

FALCONS skipper James Hudson has been paid the ultimate compliment by head coach Alan Tait, likening him to rugby league legend Ellery Hanley.

Hudson made a triumphant return after two months out injured on Sunday, leading Newcastle to a gutsy 12-6 Aviva Premiership victory over Gloucester.

Tait could think of no higher praise than to talk about him in the same breath as his former Leeds and Great Britain team-mate.

“In your lifetime you sometimes meet guys who are special,” said the Scot, who represented the British Lions at both league and union during a glittering cross-code career.

“When I was a player in rugby league I had that with Ellery Hanley, and I see a lot of him when I look at James. I don’t mean that they’re similar on the field, because actually they’re completely different. What I mean is in the way they approach their training, and their life as a whole.”

Hanley swept all before him in the 13-man game, with Tait stating: “I would describe Ellery as being one of the first true professionals in rugby.

“I’m not just talking about his class on the field, but how he looked after himself. He ate the right things and didn’t drink. Me, I liked a few pints after a game, but guys like Ellery and James take it to another level in terms of their preparation and how they take care of their bodies.

“James probably wouldn’t know how much it means for me to compare him with Ellery, and to be honest I don’t want him to spend too much time thinking about it.

“In rugby terms and how they play the game, they are like chalk and cheese, but as a true professional you just don’t understand what it means until you’ve rubbed shoulders with a guy like Ellery, day in, day out.