Sonny outlook says it all about Davies

WHEN you discover who Seb Davies’ rugby idol was growing up, you realise you are dealing with no ordinary second row here.

It wasn’t a big bruising lock or a towering lineout ace that he looked up to.

Instead, it was the silky skilled Kiwi centre Sonny Bill Williams – the king of the offload.

To an extent, that’s a legacy of the fact Davies used to play in the backs himself, during his formative rugby days with Pentyrch RFC and Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf.

But it’s also provides a clue as to why he enjoys getting the ball in his hands so much and showing off the footballing skills which have marked him out as a future star.

“Because I was a back, I tended to look up to them,” reveals the 21-year-old, who has just been named in Wales’ autumn squad.

“Sonny Bill Williams was definitely my idol. I just loved watching him play.

“I try some of his kind of stuff in training, but that sort of opportunity doesn’t happen too often in a game.”

But there have been plenty of chances for the 6ft 6ins Davies to show off the kind of assured handling which makes him just what Wales are looking for from their front five forwards these days.

“I think I have always had quite good skills,” said the Cardiff Blues youngster.

“Playing in the backs, there was more passing and I think that has definitely helped me.

“The main job for a second row is the rucks, lineouts and mauls. But hopefully I can get in the wider channels and use a bit of my skill as well.

“The All Blacks are the best team in the world, with skills right across the board. It’s just the way rugby is going.

“It’s a lot about skills and hopefully I can put mine to use.”

Those handling skills, plus his athleticism, were what first caught the eyes of the Welsh selectors and led to his shock inclusion in the squad for the summer tour of the south Seas.

He’d only made five starts for the Blues at the time and was little known outside of the Arms Park faithful.

But his call-up was to be fully indicated, as he caught the eye in training to such an extent that he was picked to start against Tonga and Samoa, impressing in both Tests.

He then really hit the ground running at the start of this season, with his fine form attracting the interest of various other teams, ahead of him agreeing a contract extension with the Blues, which was announced on Monday.

The following day he was named in Wales’ autumn squad, giving him a very real chance of featuring against the likes of New Zealand which could mean an encounter with childhood idol Sonny Bill.

He admits he has to pinch himself at times over what has happened during the past six months.

“It’s been quite strange, with the call-up over the summer with Wales and then having a good run of games at Cardiff Blues, then being offered a new contract and now getting into the Wales set-up again. “It’s been unbelievable.” Davies is quick to acknowledge the backing he has received from family and friends along the way and how much he appreciates that. “My parents are really supportive,” he said. “I have got three brothers, so they were always shuttling us everywhere.

“You don’t really think about it when you are young. You think it’s just their job.

“But it’s quite hard ferrying us round all over the place and I really appreciate it.

“I’ve also got a group of about ten friends from back home, who I was in school with at Ysgol Glantaf.

“They are pleased for me, saying well done, but they bring me down to earth as well. They get on to me a bit and give me a bit stick, but they are good mates.”

On Wales’ summer tour, Davies was one of a host of uncapped youngsters, but now he will be part of a more seasoned international group.

“There’s a lot of the experienced boys in the squad that I’ve never met, so it should be good,” he said.

“They’ve been around for a long time so there’s a lot to learn off them.

“Alyn Wyn Jones has been an iconic figure for Wales for the last 10 years. It will be good to train and hopefully play alongside him.”

So, if he received the call to start alongside Alun Wyn in the autumn opener against Australia, would he feel ready? “I don’t know really, I think so. I would have to be I suppose!” he replies.

“Sometimes you only get one chance and you’ve got to take it, and I feel at the moment I’m doing that.

“It’s weird. I still don’t quite believe it. But if I do get a chance, I’ve just got to go for it really.”