Christian Lloyd: Locked In for debut Super Rugby season

Representative Rugby | 21 January 2015 | Jack Biggs

Promising Wellington lock, Christian Lloyd, is just one of a number of young talents the Hurricanes management have in their arsenal for the 2015 season.

The towering lock has battled the injury demons in recent seasons; however, a strong club season with the Upper Hutt Rams ensured his contract with the Lions in 2014, and now, a Hurricanes one to top it off.

Lloyd grew up in England surrounded by loved ones who were passionate about sport, rugby in particular. He took a keen interest in football in particular but soon found out his skill-set was better suited to the oval-shaped game, much to the delight of his father Nigel who has a long affiliation with the game.

Christian first played club rugby in Dorset in England’s South-West before the family relocated to Wellington when he was 13 years of age.?

“I was so excited to come to New Zealand because everyone in England talked about how it is a religion here.”

“I had to adapt to bigger lads, the Polynesian lads, and just a much faster, different kind of game which I relished and fell in love with.”

Both Christian and elder brother Charlie were prominent figures at St Patrick’s Silverstream when they arrived from the UK. The brothers were all-rounders, excelling academically, in leadership positions, and of course, on the rugby field.

Captaining the 1st XV in 2009 and reaching the Premier One final are among the highlights of his college rugby days.

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“Since year nine I had always wanted to lead the team out in a traditional and I got to do that” Lloyd said.

It didn’t take long for Lloyd to start getting noticed for his sporting prowess and began making Wellington age-grade teams, the Union seeing his special potential from a young age.?

“When I left Stream I went straight into the academy set-up and started playing for Upper Hutt.”

Christian’s rugby continued to gain momentum, earning a trial and eventual selection for the NZ U20’s squad in 2012.

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“It was a massive honour to play for New Zealand at the Junior World Cup and do the haka.”?

“It’s been a complete roller-coaster trip. It feels like school only finished last year.”

An unfortunate injury derailed his rugby dreams briefly throughout the under 20’s campaign, sending Lloyd back to Wellington prematurely.

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The international experience alone helped him get back to the heights he was at prior to injury.

“It really opens your eyes to what the professional game is like. In your first year you’re like a rabbit in headlights.”

Lloyd’s knee injury saw him take a spell from sport altogether and gave him time to re-evaluate his future.?

“I was in a space where I didn’t know if it was for me. I took time out from the game to figure out what I wanted to do with myself and put a massive chunk out of my degree, which was awesome, but towards the beginning of last year I found my urge to play again which drove me to get back into fitness and start playing club.”

It took only one club game for Christian’s name to be touted for Lions selection in 2014.

“It was special for me to come back so quickly and get an opportunity to play at that level.”

“The same feeling when I was earmarked for a ‘Canes contract, it was pretty exciting, there was apprehension, all sorts of mixed emotions, it was a really cool feeling.

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“I’m really excited about this season. It’s a really cool setup at the ‘Canes and I get to stay at home which is great.”

Lloyd has also been part of Upper Hutt and Rimutaka clubs’ first season as one; a season that saw the Rams just miss out on a semi-final berth.

“We had a great season last year. It’s a really cool club to be at because I’ve grown up with a lot of the players through school and its developing into a really good club.

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“We’ve changed from being an underdog club to a competitive club so we’re heading in the right direction.”

With one more paper to finish his Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in psychology and criminology, Christian knows how important having options is.?

“I’ve always been a strong advocate that you’re only one injury away from ending your career and when the time comes that rugby is over for me I still have somewhere to go. I’ve always strongly encouraged that with younger guys pursuing a rugby career that you need a back-up plan.”

As far as the Hurricanes season is concerned, Lloyd does not want to watch from the side-lines or carry the bags.

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“I wanted to get myself a regular spot in the team and be there to play and not just a back-up player.”

“There is no reason why I shouldn’t be at the top of my game given the world class coaches and facilities in the Hurricanes environment.”

“I’m just happy in this space at the moment and seeing where it takes me.”

A former Hurricane by the same name carved a pretty impressive career for himself from the 15 jersey, perhaps we will see a similar path for Christian the second.

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