'I belong here' - How Wigan Warriors turned Kaide Ellis' short-term plan into defining career move
When Kaide Ellis arrived at Wigan Warriors ahead of the 2022 season, he thought it was going to be a relatively short-term chapter.
But instead, it has become the defining move of his rugby league career – one that has seen the Australian grow into a leader and one of the most influential figures in Matt Peet’s side.
Having just entered his fifth season with the Warriors, Ellis is one of the cornerstones of Peet’s forward pack and contracted until the end of 2029, having signed a four-year contract midway through last season.
Looking back on that initial move – when he was weighing up whether to remain with St George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL or take up Wigan’s offer – Ellis admits he never envisaged being here this long.
"I remember when I first signed, and I signed a two-year deal, and I was sort of back and forth with St George at the time about whether I stuck around there for one more year or come here,” Ellis said.
"You know, Wigan is a big club and impressive it was, so I thought I’d come over here and play a bit, and I honestly thought I’d do two years and then go back.
"I remember very early on in that first year that I knew where I was meant to be – I belong here – and I’m glad I’ve stuck around.”
Mixed with the homegrown talent on show, a strong overseas contingent has become a defining feature of Wigan’s success, with Ellis, alongside the likes of Bevan French, Jai Field, Patrick Mago, Abbas Miski and Adam Keighran, in playing key roles for the Warriors in Peet’s tenure.
Ellis believes that a tight-knit culture among the group has paid dividends, and spending time together off the field is almost as important as what they do on it.
"I think we’ve all been good for each other as well,” Ellis said. “I know a lot of us live in Manchester and we’ve got our own little community, so it definitely helps.
"It’s not easy being here all the time. I love it, and I wouldn’t change it for the world, but it’s very hard being away from friends and family and things like that, so I think we’ve all been good for each other.
"I knock around with Jai and Bev, we’re in Manchester, so we all look after each other, but I think the way we’ve all come into the team, got our own role and had some success, and everyone loves it, so no one is planning on going back home or anything like that.
"I think you can put it down to that, not chopping and changing and bringing in new overseas players, we’re all committed, and we’re here for the future, so it’s been a nice ride, and we’ve got plenty to go.”
Stability has not only defined Wigan’s recruitment in recent years, but it has also helped shape Ellis’ personal development.
Initially used primarily as a prop upon his arrival at the Brick Community Stadium, Ellis’ role evolved following Morgan Smithies’ departure to the NRL at the end of 2023, opening the door for Ellis to claim the club’s iconic No. 13 jersey.
“It’s something I’ve always liked doing,” Ellis said of the loose forward role. “Before I came here, I played in the NRL, and I was just a prop.
"I’ve always had that ball skill in my game, but I was quite young, and I was never allowed to do that free rein, or there were other people in the team that had to do that, but since I’ve come here, Matty has put that confidence into me.
"I remember when Morgan left, I wanted that 13 and to play that role, so I’m glad I’ve been able to do that and I enjoy it very much, but it is about getting that balance right, I think.
"I’ve still got to run the ball as a prop but every now and then show that skill and offload game that I know I can do, so it’s a really enjoyable part of the game. I love doing it, it’s good fun.”