| Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday, 3 February Kick-off: 16:45 GMT |
| Protection: Reside on BBC One, S4C, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru & stay textual content on the BBC Sport web site and app. Highlights on Scrum V, Sunday, BBC Two Wales and on-line, 4 February and afterward demand |
By no means a uninteresting day in Welsh rugby. That evaluation from Wales head coach Warren Gatland can’t be disputed.
Simply after we thought we had seen all of it. All the things the wacky world of Welsh rugby may throw at you. Not the whole lot although apparently.
Right here comes a lightning bolt from the blue from the person recognized in some elements as ‘Rees lightning’ or just ‘LRZ.’
The 22-year-old pin-up boy of Welsh rugby explaining to the world he has stop the game with speedy impact to pursue a profession within the NFL. Chasing his personal American dream.
It takes lots to shock folks in Welsh rugby now.
Throughout the previous two years we’ve had humiliating house defeats by Italy and Georgia. A primary away win for the lads’s group in South Africa. Head coach was Wayne Pivac sacked and Gatland returned for a second stint in cost. An unbiased evaluate discovered elements of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) tradition had been sexist, misogynistic, racist and homophobic and never correctly challenged. Chief government Steve Phillips stepping down.
Wales gamers threatened to strike earlier than a Six Nations match towards England with captain Ken Owens saying Welsh rugby has grow to be a laughing inventory in entrance of the tv cameras. Legends Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric retired from worldwide rugby on the identical day after being named in a Wales coaching squad. Have I missed something? Most likely.
Some seismic days in Welsh rugby. Now this.
It was simply meant to be a Six Nations squad announcement. Nothing main. An unveiling at 12:00 GMT to call the 30 or so gamers who could be representing Gatland’s facet within the 2024 event.
A brand new captain was anticipated with accidents to Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake, plus a number of new caps to fill the void left by injured and retired gamers following the 2023 World Cup. A brand new four-year cycle. Some significance. Nothing revolutionary.
Midday got here and went. Nothing. The press pack waited on the Wales coaching base. Perhaps Gatland was sweating on a number of accidents. No panic. Information would come by quickly.
It actually did. However not the knowledge anyone was anticipating. Virtually 45 minutes later information Rees-Zammit was off to attempt his hand at American soccer. Oh and sure, he was leaving for Florida on Friday.
There have been gasps. Bewilderment. Hardly ever does a narrative rock you in your heels, take you utterly off guard however this was a type of moments. Even Gatland himself stated he solely discovered an hour earlier than the announcement.
In case you are , the Welsh squad revealed particulars of Dafydd Jenkins set to be Wales’ second youngest captain in historical past behind Sir Gareth Edwards, Lake and Taulupe Faletau lacking the event by harm and 5 younger lads in Cameron Winnett, Alex Mann, Mackenzie Martin, Evan Lloyd and Archie Griffin being chosen for the primary time in probably the most inexperienced and unproven Wales squads in dwelling reminiscence.
None of that appeared to matter. It was some time earlier than anyone actually scrutinised the 34-man squad correctly. Just one title took centre stage. And he wasn’t even chosen.
Non permanent or everlasting?
So will we ever see Rees-Zammit return to rugby? Gatland is uncertain.
“There aren’t lots of people who make it within the NFL who have not been introduced up with the sport and performed it at a younger age,” stated Gatland.
“There’s in all probability not loads of distinction with rugby league gamers [trying to play union] – until you have been introduced up enjoying union, some are in a position to make it however only a few. So it is going to be a problem for him, however good luck to him.”
Gatland mirrored on earlier rugby gamers who had regarded to interrupt into American soccer.
“We noticed Christian Wade do it and should you take a look at rugby league, there was Jarryd Hayne from Australia who had a number of video games however wasn’t actually in a position to crack it,” stated Gatland.
“Christian acquired fairly near doing it. He was a bit older although. Louis sees it as a possibility at his age – and if he would not take that likelihood now, it in all probability will not come round once more.
“I do not know sufficient concerning the sport. I do not watch a lot NFL. I am only a informal fan like lots of people I would watch the Tremendous Bowl.
“However he is been a giant fan as a teenager and he is acquired a excessive profile away from the sport by way of social media, so this in all probability helps him improve that, I am not saying that is a destructive in any respect.”
Gatland has praised Rees-Zammit’s improvement as a participant on the World Cup the place he scored 5 tries in 5 video games.
“I assumed he was excellent within the World Cup,” stated Gatland.
“The pleasing factor for me was he hardly missed a coaching session and he was enjoying nicely.
“I nonetheless thought there was an enormous quantity of progress in his sport. We noticed final week, that attempt that he scored for Gloucester – it was a sensational particular person attempt.
“However the different facet is that, as a coach, you need to see him get his fingers on the ball extra.
“So there have been nonetheless alternatives to develop his sport, to make him a greater rugby participant, however he is made the choice to go down one other path. He will get an opportunity to go and do one thing he is dreamt about for a very long time.”
‘He is a freak as an athlete’
Gatland believes Rees-Zammit possesses the bodily prowess required for the NFL.
“We all know what an athlete he’s and the way fast he’s. And he is positively not small; even with that velocity he is 100kg and he is bodily.
“He is in all probability a little bit of a freak as an athlete. When he got here in to us he wasn’t within the best form by way of his bodily health however I have not seen somebody get match as fast as he did, by way of the World Cup with us. He’s a freak bodily and will get an opportunity to problem himself.”
Gatland insisted he was by no means going to face in Rees-Zammit’s means.
“It is in all probability a bit extra shock than disappointment,” he stated.
“I’ve at all times been a player-first coach. I’ve seen the best way, up to now, gamers have been handled by different coaches in different environments – negativity for them personally – and I’ve at all times tried to place the gamers first. I’ve by no means stood of their means.
“Quite a lot of the conversations I’ve had with gamers is about, ‘You have to make one of the best choices for your self personally and one of the best resolution for your loved ones’.
“You are in knowledgeable sport setting for such a short while in your life and you have to profit from the alternatives that come your means.
“We’re upset to lose a expertise like him however we have simply acquired to take that on the chin and transfer on.
“The very last thing I can do is dwell on shedding him as a result of the main target has acquired to be on making ready the squad.”
That shall be Gatland’s job for the opening sport towards Scotland on 3 February in Cardiff. Rees-Zammit won’t be there on the Principality Stadium pitch.
Welsh rugby is likely to be a barely duller place with out him. However it’s by no means uninteresting.
