mens
international
Max Llewellyn singled New Zealand the great Sonny Bill Williams as his great influence on rugby as Wales prepare to face the All black people.
Williams was a two-time World Cup winner in 2011 and 2015 after representing New Zealand in rugby league before switching codes.
Gloucester center Llewellyn said: “Sonny Bill was probably someone I really enjoyed watching.
“Growing up, I was a centre, he was a centre. We were similar frames, and I really enjoyed what he did in terms of bringing relief to the rugby and changing the game a bit.”
“That’s something I looked up to and wanted to emulate.”
Wales are once again installed as the main underdogs in Cardiff on Saturday, with New Zealand expected to maintain their dominance in the Nations Championship match.
New Zealand have made it 34 straight wins over Wales since the defeat in 1953 and Llewellyn – whose father Gareth won 92 caps between 1989 and 2004 – played in the 52-26 home defeat by the All Blacks 12 months ago.
“Growing up as a kid, it was definitely something I loved (watching New Zealand), Rugby Championship and things like that,” Llewellyn said.
“They’re probably still one of the biggest names in rugby. They’ve gone through a big rebuild but they’ve definitely looked pretty strong again at the other end.”
“They’ve still got a lot of talent all over the pitch. They’re really well structured and well organised, and that’s been the thing throughout their history.
“Obviously it’s a good opportunity, but for us, you just put it aside and get on with your business.”
Llewellyn can actually be considered one of the few Welshmen to have been on the winning side against the New Zealand team.
The 27-year-old was at outside center as Wales beat New Zealand 8-7 at the Under-20 World Cup in Argentina 2019.
“It seems like a long time ago – the years seem to fly by,” said Llewellyn, who will line up at inside center on Saturday with Eddie James on the outside.
“It was a strange old game because just before half-time there was thunder and the game was delayed for 30 minutes before we got back.
“But it’s still a good memory, actually, when I look back on it.”
Wales opened their autumn campaign by going through Japan 28-21, which makes two wins and two losses in the game Nations Championship until now.
They are currently fifth in the Northern Hemisphere standings, with Australia last autumn visitors to Cardiff on November 21 before the final weekend at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
Llewellyn said: “It’s always nice to come off a win and the mood is obviously a lot different to losing.
“We probably weren’t too consistent in our performances, be that as it may Six Nations or in the summer.
“So we just make sure that it doesn’t matter who the opponents are, we have to make sure we’re consistent in that.
“That’s obviously what we’re going for and I think we’re going in the right direction.”
