Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit says he has rediscovered his swagger as he aims to fight fire with fire against the All Blacks. Rees-Zammit will be to the fore when Steve Tandy’s side attempt to upset the odds against New Zealand in the Nations Championship on Saturday at 14:10 GMT.
Return to Form on the Wing
Wales go into the game after labouring to a 28-21 bonus-point victory against Japan at Principality Stadium. It was an unconvincing performance, but Rees-Zammit stood out, scoring a try, making 12 carries for 121 metres and beating 13 defenders to be named man of the match. He made more line breaks against Japan than he did in the entire Six Nations, when he started every game at full-back.
As reported by BBC Sport, Rees-Zammit said he felt really confident out there and that success stemmed from the work during the week and at his club side Bristol. He noted that finding confidence in his game and playing back on the wing helps him create chances, help the team go forward, and finish tries off.
Rees-Zammit is in his second season since returning to rugby from two years trying to make it in the NFL. The 2021 British and Irish Lions tourist has crossed five times in five games for Bristol and ranks second in the Premiership for defenders beaten with 28, fifth for metres gained with 299, and third for clean breaks with 12.
He added that he is just playing with a smile on his face, playing with confidence, and always thinking that he can beat defenders, while also feeling really good in defence.
Praise from Shane Williams
Rees-Zammit’s assessment is backed up by Wales’ record try scorer, Shane Williams, who told the Scrum V podcast that the winger is a confident young man who is definitely looking bigger and sharper than he has for some time. Williams acknowledged the player’s comments about putting on weight, getting stronger, and becoming faster, noting that the proof is in the pudding.
Williams, who scored 60 tries in 91 Test appearances for Wales and the British and Irish Lions, was impressed by Rees-Zammit’s performance in the opening autumn fixture. He stated that the player looked the business against Japan and found it encouraging to see him get involved early and take defenders on.
Williams added that the winger looked sharp, though he expressed uncertainty over whether the player will be able to bump off All Blacks defenders the way he did on Saturday. Nevertheless, he called it encouraging that the winger took his try well and remained busy throughout.
Facing the All Blacks
Tandy’s side now host a New Zealand side that impressively stretched away from Scotland in the second half in a comprehensive 43-21 success. Wales have lost 34 straight games to the All Blacks since their 1953 triumph, a streak that few expect to end in Cardiff.
However, Rees-Zammit takes encouragement from last November’s meeting when New Zealand won 52-26, but led just 24-21 early in the second half. Noting that Wales were in the match until the 60-odd-minute mark last year, the wing emphasized that success is about hard work and putting your body on the line against those boys.
He stressed that when the team gets the ball and creates chances, players must be brave and fearless because Wales possess a strong back line and players who can finish. He concluded that the team will be brave and go for it next week, acknowledging that New Zealand are a great team, but the second you shy away from them, you miss and they take advantage.
After left wing Tom Rogers became the first Welsh player to score a hat-trick against New Zealand last year, Rees-Zammit will hope for plenty of chances to show his finishing prowess on the right flank next weekend.
