The flying wing has trashed the desires of hundreds of Wales rugby lovers, and the chances are stacked against him making it in American football.
So you’re 22 years old. You have constantly enjoyed watching American soccer, and you have simply had a proposal to go to Florida to gauge your ability to make it within the mega-dollar NFL. There are no guarantees, but there may be an awful lot of cash on offer if you crack the code. Do you say, “Yes, please”? Or do you say, “No, quite sorry, we’re playing Castres within the Challenge Cup on Friday”?
Place yourself in the fast‑transferring boots of Louis Rees‑Zammit and, in private darkest January, you may see straight away why the last American dream might enchantment: if I’m excellent sufficient, sweet; if not, at the least I gave it a pass in my athletic high. As LRZ made clear in his rapidly written farewell note, this kind of lifestyle-changing possibility no longer comes around every day.
On the one hand, exact success to him. On the other hand, he has just trashed the hopeful dreams of hundreds of Welsh enthusiasts. Particularly individuals who might notice off their right arm to symbolize their USA simply as soon as inside the Six Nations at a packed Principality Stadium. So a lot for the green, green grass of domestic and the thrilling tingle of the pre-match anthems. It’s all about your personal logo these days, Bois Bach.
Maybe it is naive or hopelessly antique college to feel unhappy about the most thrilling Welsh lower back of his era being so quick to give up on something so unique—with the aid of all debts, the call from the States came most effective remaining Sunday night, so he has no longer spent weeks agonizing over it. Maybe a person somewhere can also have recommended to him that the precipitous timing and lack of awareness do him a few favors. If it doesn’t exercise session stateside, customary forgiveness might not be right away impending.
Then once more, Rees-Zammit has by no means been a person to sit around and look forward to matters showing up. “Rees‑Lightning” has scored 14 attempts in his 32 Tests for Wales, and his talent is actual enough. So is his self-confidence. As he advised the Guardian in overdue 2021, he backs himself towards quite a lot of anybody. “The way I study it, the bigger the person I’m up against, the much less he’s going to transport.”
He goes to require all his searing pace and, more certainly, to make an NFL club roster. Christian Wade became arguably even quicker off the mark, yet ultimately had his objectives dashed. Aspiring to be a huge receiver or a kick-go-back specialist is all very well, but lots of talented sprinters in the United States already have an innate aspect. The NFL International Player Pathway program awaiting Rees Zammit in Florida is merely the primary of many hurdles, with the odds stacked firmly in opposition to him.
Some will argue that even the sight of him trying on a pair of shoulder pads is ideal news for rugby’s worldwide profile in a state in which the subsequent-however-one World Cup might be staged in 2031. Others will reiterate that each individual has the right to make any selection that feels right for them. It isn’t always as though Welsh rugby is now awash with money or possesses a stellar crew. Rees-Zammit can also just have looked around him and decided that skipping this particular Welsh Six Nations marketing campaign might not be absolutely the quit of the world.
Above all else, though, it’s far more a signal of the times, both in rugby and in wider society. For all the heartfelt eulogies to the wonderful JPR Williams, rugby now does not exert the same magnetic pull in Wales that it once did. It is likewise a sport that requires massive commitment for a tremendously modest salary by American football standards. In industrial terms, rugby is a pimple on the NFL’s hefty backside, and, from Gen Z’s angle, there are sexier sports available.
So why might athletes in their early 20s no longer need to sample life beyond Kingsholm or Cardiff Arms Park? Rees-Zammit’s belongings developer father, Joe, is a lifelong American soccer fan, and there’s a large, extensive international market available. If he ends up coming back to rugby, wiser for the experience, there can be no shortage of groups in Britain, France, and Japan more than satisfied to provide an agreement to a player who already has the valuable ability to position bums on seats.
In the short term, however, this does not help Wales much. Or, potentially, the British and Irish Lions in Australia next year. Because if he does return to feature in the 2025 Six Nations, Rees-Zummit will have to really tear it down to convince Andy Farrell he deserves a place ahead of other loyal, selfless squad players.
If that sounds a chunk harsh, it is just a reality of lifestyles. Rugby union can now and again be perceived as a Mickey Mouse sport compared to the professional gridiron, but woven into the crimson jersey is the 143 years of Test fit records Rees-Zammit has succinctly solid aside. He totally deserves to go to Florida and chase whatever dream he likes, but it’s also a huge gamble. And when Wales’ players line up to sing Hein Vlad fi Nhadou ahead of Scotland’s game a fortnight in Cardiff on Saturday, it might be best to avoid any badge-clutching.
