Max Llewellyn, the 27-year-old centre for Wales, is set to line up at inside centre as his team faces New Zealand in the Nations Championship on Saturday at 14:10 GMT in Cardiff. Growing up idolising Sonny Bill Williams, Llewellyn hopes to replicate the All Blacks' offloading style that Williams popularised. Standing at 6ft 6in and representing Gloucester, Llewellyn recalls watching legendary players like Dan Carter and Richie McCaw, but it was Williams' unique ability to keep the ball alive that truly inspired him. "He was probably someone that I really enjoyed watching when growing up," Llewellyn said, noting that he admired Williams' impact on the game through his offloading skills.
Llewellyn's past includes a notable victory over New Zealand during the 2019 World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Argentina, a feat not commonly achieved by Welsh players. However, the senior team has struggled against the All Blacks, with a disheartening 34-game losing streak that dates back to 1953, including a narrow one-point loss in 2004 when Llewellyn's father, Gareth, played in the second row. The Welsh team recently secured a shaky 28-21 win against Japan, which has done little to bolster confidence ahead of this weekend's clash.S1S2
Despite the daunting history, Llewellyn maintains a belief in his team's potential. "There's always the belief, especially when you come into work and you are in this Welsh jersey, that you can win," he stated, emphasizing the team's commitment to improving their performance consistency. Llewellyn, who has only worn the number 12 jersey once for Gloucester this season and had his sole previous start at inside centre for Wales against England in August 2023, feels optimistic about his future in this position. He recently partnered with Scarlets' James, marking a shift in Wales' strategy from fielding ball-players like Joe Hawkins or Ben Thomas in midfield.S1S2
As Llewellyn prepares for his match against New Zealand, he reflects on the adjustments required for playing at inside centre, noting the increased physicality compared to the outside centre role. He expressed satisfaction with his recent training and the chemistry developed with his new partner, stating, "The first week of training was about making sure we had the combination locked down and I felt that happened really quickly." The match at Principality Stadium promises to be a significant test for Llewellyn and the Welsh team as they seek to break their long-standing losing streak against one of rugby's most formidable opponents.S1S2
