It’s taken time to find my feet again, admits Louis Rees-Zammit
The 25-year-old speedster has finished his first season back in rugby after an 18-month spell in the NFL
Louis Rees-Zammit admits he has taken time to find his feet again after returning to rugby from American Football.
The 25-year-old speedster, who used to play for Gloucester Rugby, has finished his first season back in rugby after an 18-month spell in the NFL.
'Bitterly disappointed'
It was for Wales' meeting against world champions South Africa in the Nations Championship - which saw Steve Tandy's side thrashed 43-0 by the Spingbocks.
Tandy said: “I’m bitterly disappointed with the score but I commend the team around the effort, they stayed in the fight for large parts of the game.
“There were a couple of moments right before half-time and straight after half-time that blows it up a bit more, but there’s massive pride in our players.
“I think there’s been lots of green shoots and building momentum, but again this is the path we’re on and how do we accelerate faster.
“There’s no dead time for us. We’ll go back and reflect, see what we’ve done well, but also where we need to go and how quickly we go there.”
'I haven's settled in as quickly as I wanted to back into rugby'
Rees-Zammit has been restored to the wing at Durban after being left out of last weekend’s defeat to Argentina in San Juan.
“I haven’t settled in as quickly as I wanted to back into rugby,” said Rees-Zammit, who has floated between full-back and wing for both Bristol and Wales.
“It’s taken a bit of time to find my feet again, but this is the sport I’ve played since I was seven.
“The more games I am playing, the more confidence I’m getting. This season was a very long one and I played multiple positions.
“I never quite got my feet on the ground and back running like I used to, but I’ve learned so much.
“Hopefully I can give it my all for this final game, then next year is the year that I try and make the biggest impact I can.”
Rees-Zammit scored 14 tries in 31 Tests before heading Stateside for spells at the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
But he has only crossed twice in 10 Tests since returning to rugby and has not scored in his past seven internationals.
Rees-Zammit was part of the side that won 13-12 in Bloemfontein in 2022 – Wales’ first ever victory in South Africa.
It looks a far tougher assignment four years on, with South Africa having began the Nations Championship by scoring 87 points in wins over England and Scotland.
Wales were soundly beaten 35-21 by Argentina after opening their campaign with victory over Fiji in Cardiff.