By Graham Thomas
Max Llewellyn insists he will take the various pats on the back and predictions of Wales caps – but won’t lose focus on his day job at Cardiff.
The strapping centre had been making a powerful case for his inclusion in Wayne Pivac’s squad for the autumn internationals on the back of his power-packed impact at the Arms Park.
In the end, Pivac took a different route to the one suggested by former Wales centre Tom Shanklin and others and did not include Llewellyn in his autumn squad.
That has left the 23-year-old clear to further his own case in a Cardiff shirt – starting with Saturday night’s clash against the Stormers, which is live on S4C.
“I saw a few people put my name in the conversation, which is nice, but I try and not look at that kind of thing too much because it could make you complacent,” says Llewellyn.
“My aim is just to continue working hard and keep improving.
“I’m happy with how things are going now. I’m always looking to improve year on year and game on game. I have managed to have a nice run of games lately which helps to build things into your game.
“But I am just looking to concentrate on my rugby. I can’t get ahead of myself and think of things further down the line at the moment.
“There are plenty of games where players can make a statement, whether that is in the URC or in Europe, which is coming up.”
A first competitive try from Max Llewellyn gives @Cardiff_Rugby their first points of the evening 🔵
🇬🇧 @PremierSportsTV
🏴 @S4C
💻 https://t.co/CeNCIlfD9i
#️⃣ #OSPvCBL
🏆 #GuinnessPRO14RainbowCup pic.twitter.com/YvarYKYEvi— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) April 24, 2021
It’s a mature and level-headed approach from the former Wales U20s cap, who has plenty of time yet to follow in the footsteps of his father, Gareth, who won 92 senior caps for Wales.
Llewellyn senior attends all his son’s matches, but it’s a softly-softly approach, says Max, rather than anything heavy.
“He has been a massive influence, but he’s not as pushy as some people might think,” insists Llewellyn junior.
“He’s quite relaxed about it, but he will always want a chat after a game. I enjoy getting his feedback, he’s always giving me things to work on.
“He’s got a lot of knowledge and he has been coached by some fantastic coaches. I think he has helped me a lot. He always says the game is always changing, so he has always emphasised the importance of being adaptable.”
Adaptability for Llewellyn this weekend will revolve around trying to contain the threat of the Stormers – who are on a 15-game unbeaten run, despite being held to a 16-16 draw last week at the Ospreys.
The South Africans’ mini-tour of Europe began with a bonus-point win against Zebre and their strength and all-round game will test Cardiff’s improving durability – evidenced in their recent derby victories over the Scarlets and Dragons.
A player from each Welsh team that I’d like to see called up to Wales’ Autumn Series squad next week:
• Max Llewellyn (Cardiff)
• Bradley Roberts (Dragons)
• Keelan Giles (Ospreys)
• Sam Costelow (Scarlets)
— Jamie Phillips (@JNPhillips4) October 16, 2022
“I played against the Stormers last year, out in South Africa, it was a very tough place to go and I was a bit inexperienced back then,” adds Llewellyn.
“I know what to expect now, so hopefully we will fare a bit better this time around.
“They have started really well, they are unbeaten in their last 15 games, so it is a big challenge for us. We will definitely find out what level we are at against them, they are a top team.”
Dai Young’s side – perhaps galvanized by recent criticism of their off-field matters – have appeared more steely in those two recent games and Llewellyn believes there is more to come.
He pinpoints the example being set by back rowers Taulupe Faletau and Thomas Young of players starting to run into their best form as the URC table begins to take shape with Cardiff leading the way among the Welsh regions.
“When you look around the squad, there is no reason why we can’t compete and go on a run from here.
Looking forward to seeing how Max Llewellyn goes this season after impressive outings in Cardiff’s two pre-season friendlies. pic.twitter.com/oWjsPcKpJJ
— Andrew Forde Cardiff (@Cardiff_AndrewF) September 22, 2021
“We need to keep doing the hard things well and keep gelling as a squad and hopefully we can improve. The boys who have come in have really elevated training – when you see the likes of Taulupe Faletau and Thomas Young, the levels they train at is incredible.
“I’ve watched Taulupe for years but to see him on the training pitch, to see how he takes on information is amazing.
“He’s the ultimate professional, and it shows on the pitch because everything he does on the pitch is perfect.”
S4C – Saturday, 7.15pm. Clwb Rygbi
Cardiff v DHL Stomers. Live coverage of the URC match from Cardiff Arms Park. English commentary available.
