Great Britain legend Ellery Hanley to coach Combined Nations All Stars

Former Great Britain forward Ellery Hanley has been named as the Combined Nations All Stars Head Coach in 2022.

It will be Hanley’s first coaching job since leaving Doncaster back in 2008. He has a decorated coaching career.

In 1994, he became the first person to coach or manage Great Britain when he took charge of the side for The Ashes in the same year.

He also coached St Helens to Super League glory in 1999, as they beat Bradford. He then went on to coach Doncaster, leading them to promotion from National League Two.

In 2005, Hanley was inducted to RFL Hall of Fame and is widely considered as one of the best players in the history of the game.

Ellery Hanley’s glittering playing career

He started his career at Bradford Northern back in 1978, and made over 120 appearances for the club before signing for Wigan. In his final season at Bradford, he became the first non-winger to score more than 50 tries in a season. He finished with 55, and won that season’s Man of Steel.

At Wigan, he went up another level. In his second season, he scored 63 tries, and soon helped Wigan to the League title. In 1987, he also helped Wigan to the World Club Challenge after beating Manly.

Meanwhile, 1989, Hanley helped Wigan to the Challenge Cup, with a 27-0 victory over St Helens. That was the first time a side had been held scoreless in the final. That year, he also won the Golden Boot and also won Man of Steel for the second time as a Wigan player.

He left the Warriors in 1991 to join Leeds, having scored 189 tries in 202 games for the club, as well as a multitude of trophies.

Hanley also had a couple of short spells in Australia for their competitions.

In his last season with Leeds, he would score 41 tries, which was a record for a forward. He also made 36 appearances for Great Britain on the international stage.

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