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The 20-year-old Welsh centre who stands 6'5 drawing comparisons to Roberts
Uncapped Cardiff centre Mason Grady is already drawing comparisons with Welsh greats Jamie Roberts and George North ahead of a potential Wales debut in the upcoming Six Nations.
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One of four uncapped players unveiled in returning head coach Warren Gatland’s Six Nations squad, Grady is a prodigious talent that was first signed as an 18-year-old by Cardiff.
His ability was on show in last year’s under-20 Summer Series final against South Africa where he powered straight over the fullback and glided seamlessly around the covering winger to score.
The rangey midfielder possesses incredible height which has already drawn comparisons to former Wales midfielder Jamie Roberts and power wing George North already.
Here's a glimpse of new Welsh call up Mason Grady, the 6'5" and 110kg outside centre for Cardiff. Big Talent. pic.twitter.com/z4iKvvbAf4
— Andrew Forde (@andrewfrugby) January 17, 2023
Grady began showing glimpses of his potential at the top level almost immediately, in his first professional start slipping through the grasp of Springbok midfielder Damian de Allende.
18 year old Mason Grady breaks the tackle of World Cup winner Damian de Allende on his first start for Cardiff in February 2021. pic.twitter.com/YJCk3QH4IC
— Andrew Forde Cardiff (@Cardiff_AndrewF) December 1, 2021
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This season the No 13 has overcome a run of injuries to play consistently in the URC with Cardiff, logging 18 appearances which was enough for Gatland to make the bold selection.
Since Scarlets veteran centre Jonathan Davies made the move to inside centre in the twilight stages of his career, Wales have not been able to uncover the next generation option with wing George North filling in frequently as well as former England age-grade rep Nick Tompkins.
However, speculation is already growing that Grady’s size and power is more suited to playing 12 the way that Gatland used Roberts, as a gain-line machine off set-piece.
Mason Grady at 12 for Wales?
Had a few conversations over the last 2-3 months about him and his skill set. Hybrid Jamie Roberts/Sonny Bill… not that I want to heap that pressure on the lad!! Big future ahead. #6Nations— CT71 (@christombs71) January 17, 2023
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On Mason Grady, Cardiff’s first two tries against Newcastle really summed up his central threat. For both of him, he was the man to cross the gain-line and suck in defenders creating the gaps for others. One tackler is not enough.
— Simon Thomas (@simonrug) January 17, 2023
He’s a 13 and I think offers much more in attack than a crash ball 12 JR style. But… Jamie was a winger/fullback until Gatland got his hands on him so it wouldn’t surprise me if he did similar with Grady!
— Andrew Forde (@andrewfrugby) January 17, 2023
Cardiff Rugby released video with their two new potential debutants, where Grady expressed his disbelief at receiving his first Wales call-up.
“I’m buzzing. I’m really surprised because I didn’t expect to get the call-up to be honest. When the boys told me I thought they were taking the mick so I am absolutely buzzing,” he told Cardiff Rugby.
“I didn’t even know Teddy had made it so that is class. I’ve played with him since Year 12 so to go into that squad with him is unbelievable. Growing up in Wales as a kid this is all you want really so I’m super proud and hopefully I have done my family proud. Hopefully I can get a cap soon.”
😍 Things you love to see…
It was great to catch the reaction as @TeddyWils303 and @MasonGrady were named as uncapped players in the @welshrugbyunion @sixnationsrugby squad.
Llongyfarchiadau Mason and Teddy!
8️⃣ Blue and Blacks included in total 👇
— Cardiff Rugby (@Cardiff_Rugby) January 17, 2023
Comments on RugbyPass
Why cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to comments