Wales’ 110kg centre’s try was everything Warren Gatland has dreamed of
As Cardiff centre Mason Grady charged closer and closer the Benetton’s try line on Saturday, Warren Gatland was probably growing more and more animated to the point where he would have been dancing as the 21-year-old crossed the line.
Gatland loves a big centre, and the 6′ 5“, 110kg Grady fits the bill perfectly. The centre scored an absolute scorcher in the Challenge Cup at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo, showing his pace and power. After breaking through two tackles in the defensive line, Grady then showed a clean pair of heels to race towards the corner, before once again showing his strength again. All round it was pretty elite, and seemed perfect for Warrenball.
Tries like this explain why Gatland picked the then 20-year-old Grady for the Six Nations this year, and it suggests that he could be a pivotal cog in the Welsh midfield over the coming years and even the World Cup later this year.
This is what Gatland said before handing Grady his first cap against England: “We’ve given Mason Grady a first cap. He’s a big lad, he’s got some really lovely rugby skills and offloading ability. He’s quick, so he’s the kind of centre that I think is going to have it all going forward.
“He’s got a good rugby head on him. He’s still pretty inexperienced so the big message to him has been ‘what’s the biggest thing you need to work on?’ He said keep talking and keep communicating, so that’s been the focus for him and I’ve been really happy with him in training.”
Take a look at the try:
MASON GRADY 🤯
Bursting through the line, mixed with an insane turn of pace rewards the @Cardiff_Rugby centre with a try 🔥#ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/WdVam3zTHu
— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) April 8, 2023
Despite this finish from Grady, Cardiff could not get the victory, as they fell 27-23 in Italy. Benetton will now travel to face Toulon in the Challenge Cup semi final at the end of the month.
