Louis Rees-Zammit: Wales coach Warren Gatland unsure if ‘freak’ wing will break into NFL

Never a dull day in Welsh rugby. That assessment from Wales head coach Warren Gatland cannot be disputed.

Here comes a lightning bolt from the blue from the man known in some parts as ‘Rees lightning’ or simply ‘LRZ.’

The 22-year-old pin-up boy of Welsh rugby explaining to the world he has quit the sport with immediate effect to pursue a career in the NFL. Chasing his own American dream.

It takes a lot to shock people in Welsh rugby now.

Within the past two years we have had humiliating home defeats by Italy and Georgia. A first away win for the men’s team in South Africa. Head coach was Wayne Pivac sacked and Gatland returned for a second stint in charge. An independent review found aspects of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) culture were sexist, misogynistic, racist and homophobic and not properly challenged. Chief executive Steve Phillips stepping down.

Wales players threatened to strike before a Six Nations match against England with captain Ken Owens saying Welsh rugby has become a laughing stock in front of the television cameras. Legends Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric retired from international rugby on the same day after being named in a Wales training squad. Have I missed anything? Probably.

Some seismic days in Welsh rugby. Now this.

It was just meant to be a Six Nations squad announcement. Nothing major. An unveiling at 12:00 GMT to name the 30 or so players who would be representing Gatland’s side in the 2024 tournament.

A new captain was expected with injuries to Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake, plus a few new caps to fill the void left by injured and retired players following the 2023 World Cup. A new four-year cycle. Some significance. Nothing revolutionary.

Noon came and went. Nothing. The press pack waited at the Wales training base. Maybe Gatland was sweating on a few injuries. No panic. News would come through soon.

It certainly did. But not the information anybody was expecting. Almost 45 minutes later news Rees-Zammit was off to try his hand at American football. Oh and yes, he was leaving for Florida on Friday.

There were gasps. Bewilderment. Rarely does a story rock you on your heels, take you completely off guard but this was one of those moments. Even Gatland himself said he only found out an hour before the announcement.

The Welsh squad revealed details of Dafydd Jenkins set to be Wales’ second youngest captain in history behind Sir Gareth Edwards, Lake and Taulupe Faletau missing the tournament through injury, no room for England prospect Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, five young lads in Cameron Winnett, Alex Mann, Mackenzie Martin, Evan Lloyd and Archie Griffin being selected for the first time in one of the most inexperienced and unproven Wales squads in living memory.

None of that seemed to matter. It was a while before anybody really scrutinised the 34-man squad properly. One name took centre stage. And he wasn’t even selected.

Temporary or permanent?

So will we ever see Rees-Zammit return to rugby? Gatland is unsure.

“There aren’t a lot of people who make it in the NFL who haven’t been brought up with the game and played it at a young age,” said Gatland.

“There’s probably not a lot of difference with rugby league players [trying to play union] – unless you’ve been brought up playing union, some are able to make it but very few. So it’s going to be a challenge for him, but good luck to him.”

Gatland reflected on previous rugby players who had looked to break into American football.

“We saw Christian Wade do it and if you look at rugby league, there was Jarryd Hayne from Australia who had a few games but wasn’t really able to crack it,” said Gatland.

“Christian got quite close to doing it. He was a bit older though. Louis sees it as an opportunity at his age – and if he doesn’t take that chance now, it probably won’t come around again.

“I don’t know enough about the game. I don’t watch much NFL. I’m just a casual fan like a lot of people I might watch the Super Bowl.

“But he’s been a big fan as a youngster and he’s got a high profile away from the game in terms of social media, so this probably helps him enhance that, I’m not saying that’s a negative at all.”

Gatland has praised Rees-Zammit’s development as a player at the World Cup where he scored five tries in five games.

“I thought he was outstanding in the World Cup,” said Gatland.

“The pleasing thing for me was he hardly missed a training session and he was playing well.

“I still thought there was a huge amount of growth in his game. We saw last week, that try that he scored for Gloucester – it was a sensational individual try.

“But the other side is that, as a coach, you want to see him get his hands on the ball more.

“So there were still opportunities to develop his game, to make him a better rugby player, but he’s made the decision to go down another path. He gets a chance to go and do something he’s dreamt about for a long time.”

‘He’s a freak as an athlete’

Gatland believes Rees-Zammit possesses the physical prowess required for the NFL.

“We know what an athlete he is and how quick he is. And he’s definitely not small; even with that speed he’s 100kg and he’s physical.

“He’s probably a bit of a freak as an athlete. When he came in to us he wasn’t in the greatest shape in terms of his physical fitness but I haven’t seen someone get fit as quick as he did, in terms of the World Cup with us. He is a freak physically and gets a chance to challenge himself.”

Gatland insisted he was never going to stand in Rees-Zammit’s way.

“It’s probably a bit more shock than disappointment,” he said.

“I’ve always been a player-first coach. I’ve seen the way, in the past, players have been treated by other coaches in other environments – negativity for them personally – and I’ve always tried to put the players first. I’ve never stood in their way.

“A lot of the conversations I’ve had with players is about, ‘You’ve got to make the best decisions for yourself personally and the best decision for your family’.

“You’re in a professional sport environment for such a short time in your life and you’ve got to make the most of the opportunities that come your way.

“We are disappointed to lose a talent like him but we’ve just got to take that on the chin and move on.

“The last thing I can do is dwell on losing him because the focus has got to be on preparing the squad.”

That will be Gatland’s task for the opening game against Scotland on 3 February in Cardiff. Rees-Zammit will not be there on the Principality Stadium pitch.

Welsh rugby might be a slightly duller place without him. But it is never dull.