Ellis: Tigers can still win premiership

Despite crashing to defeats in four of their last five matches, Gareth Ellis says Wests Tigers are still capable of bagging an NRL premiership.

Speaking ahead of the Tigers’ must win clash against South Sydney on Sunday, the England international said he didn’t want his NRL career to end without qualifying for the finals.

“It would be very disappointing if it was to end that way, particularly with the team we have got,’’ Ellis told the Tigers’ official website.

“We are a team that probably could go on to win the competition so if we don’t give ourselves a chance to compete in (the finals), then that would be very disappointing particularly in my last year.

“Hopefully I can I have an impact in the back end of the year.”

Ellis will leave at the end of the season following a successful three years with the joint venture club although his form has been hampered by injuries during the current campaign.

But one of the biggest challenges for the Tigers on Sunday will be stopping Rabbitohs and England juggernaut Sam Burgess, according to Ellis.

“We have played against each other a few times now and alongside each other with England,’’ added Ellis.

“For myself, I just feel like a Wests Tigers player now and I don’t really see anything different.

“He is obviously going to be someone who we are going to have to contain and he is a great player. It is going to be a great game. Their whole team is playing well.”