One of the most versatile talents in Welsh rugby today, Cardiff midfielder Mason Grady has proven his ability at shining with different numbers upon his back. Given his impressive strengths in the centres and across both wings, where best to utilise the 22-year-old remains to be one of the biggest head scratchers for Warren Gatland today.
At 6ft 5ins and 17st 9lbs and with bags of pace and power, the Cardiff man has all the raw ingredients to dominate in both the centre of the park, and run rings around his opponents in the wide channels. Grady also recently joined in on the Cardiff line-out in the opening round of the United Rugby Championship. He was sent air borne in the forward pack, which set the foundations for a try against Zebre Parma.
This past summer, Warren Gatland employed Grady in at inside centre, for the two Test matches against the Wallabies, on the tour of Australia. But Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt views him as an outside centre or wing, the latter position being where he has started the opening two URC games, and scored in Saturday’s Welsh derby win against the Scarlets.
“Honestly, I really don’t mind where I play,” Grady said, in an interview with the United Rugby Championship’s media team. “I am personally comfortable playing whatever position.
“It’s just a number on your back. I am still going to try and do the same thing every game. For me, it’s just a starting position off of first phase and then you can get into the game however you want. I can do my best to pop up when I can and get my hands on the ball.
“There are different skills in each position, so I am quite enjoying learning them all. At 12, I probably carry a bit more and like to get a bit more gain-line. You step up at first receiver a bit more and organise the forwards more. Defensively it’s a little bit different as well.
“At 13 and on the wing, I’ve got a bit more space to get around people. But I just enjoy playing rugby, to be honest. That’s the main thing. I’ve been doing it since I was a kid, so if I wasn’t enjoying it, there would be something wrong.
“I think every kid in Wales wants to grow up to be a rugby player, so I just remind myself that it’s a really fun job. I am with the boys every day. I love it.”
The seven-cap Grady – younger brother of former Wales three quarter Cory Allen – also feels he is growing as a player.
“I am definitely more confident in my ability to play and back myself. The more I play, the more it comes natural. I don’t even have to think about that. I can look at things, scan a bit more, see where the space is.”
Grady puts much of his progress down to playing alongside veteran Samoan Test centre Rey Lee-Lo who is still showing his class for Cardiff at 38.
“Honestly, he is such a legend and I couldn’t have asked for anyone better to mentor me through my process of coming through,” he said. The biggest thing I have learned from him is the defensive side of the game, just making reads, staying calm, and probably his offloading game as well.
“Defence is one of my biggest work-ons and I think he’s the best defender out there at 13, to be honest. Every year is his last year and he’s still going. I think he is going to end up playing longer than me at this rate!”
Both of them were to the fore as Cardiff came from behind to claim a bonus point win at Parc y Scarlets on the weekend.
“Obviously, it was a bit of a shock being 15-0 down,” said Grady. But the message was just to stay composed and stick to the game plan. The big thing for us going into the match was playing the way Cardiff play. Against Zebre, we probably didn’t do that
“I thought we played some good rugby and, in the end, we came away with the win. We have got individuals who can cause carnage with the ball, especially in open space. The more we can play the Cardiff way, the better chance we have of winning.
That’s now maximum points from the opening two BKT URC games for the team from the Welsh capital who lie level with Leinster Rugby at the top of the table.
“I think it just shows how hard the boys have worked during pre-season. They really deserve these two wins,” said Grady. Next up, it’s the champions, with Glasgow Warriors the visitors to the Arms Park on Friday night.
“They are a very good side, but again we are just going to stick to our game plan, concentrate on us and hopefully that will be enough to get the win,” said Grady.