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Llewellyn aims to give Wales a hint of Sonny Bill
Max Llewellyn hopes to bring Sonny Bill Williams-style offloading to Wales as they prepare to face New Zealand in Cardiff. The Gloucester centre says Williams inspired him as a young player, and Wales will need inventive, consistent rugby to challenge a side they have rarely beaten.
The 27-year-old is expected to start at inside centre alongside Scarlets’ Eddie James, forming Wales’ sixth different midfield pairing under coach Steve Tandy. Wales have lost 34 consecutive matches to New Zealand since 1953; their most recent game was a 28-21 win over Japan. Llewellyn last beat the All Blacks in an under-20 match in 2019.
In short
- Llewellyn wants Wales to bring more offloading against New Zealand.
- He is set to start at inside centre with Eddie James.
- Wales have lost 34 straight matches to the All Blacks.
Explained simply
Sonny Bill Williams is a former New Zealand rugby union and league player known for passing the ball out of a tackle, a move called an offload. It can keep an attack going when a defender brings a player down, but it also carries a risk of losing possession.
Wales and New Zealand are national rugby teams with a long history of meetings. New Zealand, known as the All Blacks, have been a difficult opponent for Wales, who have not beaten them since 1953. Wales are coached by Steve Tandy, while Llewellyn plays for English club Gloucester.