Ella possessed a distinguishing trait of instantaneously igniting a backline movement. His vision and ability to ‘read the play’ is evidenced by his much-vaunted passing game. Gareth Edwards notes, “Next, he wastes no strides holding the ball he does not want to use, and flips it instantly on its way towards the wide open space down the touchline where danger-men like David Campese prowl...” Continuing his appraisal of Ella in "The Scotsman", Mair wrote: “In his deft handling, the ball is often on in a fraction of a second.” The "London Observer" described Ella as "the detonator which explodes the brilliance of the Australian backs at critical moments."