surprise omission at five-eighth for Australia's one-off Test against Fiji in 1980, after Queensland five-eighth Paul McLean was selected at fullback against Fiji. However, Sydney University's five-eighth Michael Hawker was chosen ahead of Ella for the five-eighth position. 1980 Bledisloe Cup Test Series In 1980 the Australia Wallabies retained the Bledisloe Cup with a 2-1 series victory over the New Zealand All Blacks. The 1980 Bledisloe Cup Test series victory was the Wallabies first three-Test series victory over the All Blacks since 1949, and their first three-Test series victory against the All Blacks on Australian soil since 1934. Ella played against the All Blacks in their first touring match against Sydney that was drawn 13-13, in which Ella received the man of the match award. Prior to Australia's first Test against New Zealand in 1980, incumbent Australian outside center Andrew Slack withdrew from the Australian side due to injury. The selectors picked three former players from the 1977/78 Australian Schoolboys to comprise Australia's mid-field - Mark Ella at five-eighth, Michael Hawker at inside centre, and Michael O'Connor at outside centre. O'Connor was originally slated to play on the wing outside of Slack. Making his debut for the Wallabies, Ella "opened the scoring with a dropped goal" on his non-preferred right boot. With the scores tied at 9-9, Ella set-up a try for Australian winger Mick Martin by looping Michael Hawker. Australia went on to win the first Test 13-9. Australia lost the second Test 9-12. Prior to Australia's third Test against New Zealand in 1980, Queensland five-eighth Paul McLean played in a historic Queensland victory over New Zealand (9-3), thus challenging Ella for Test selection. However, Ella was retained for the third Test against New Zealand with McLean selected on the bench. The third Test against New Zealand in 1980 contained one of the most famous moments of Mark Ella's rugby career - his "around-the-body-pass." Ella's biographer Bret Harris documents that: "With a sound platform, the backs performed feats of magic. Mark's wayward genius was evident in Australia's second try. The backs charged down the narrow side of the field in a passing rush, but the movement was halted by the cover defence. The backline quickly realigned towards the right hand side of the field with a golden opportunity to attack from the ensuing maul. But Mark incorrectly called 'left' and found himself in no man's land, surrounded by three