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Louis Rees-Zammit delivers speed warning to Wales' World Cup rivals
By PA
Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit believes he is definitely quicker than last season as he prepares to blast out of the starting blocks at his first Rugby World Cup. The 22-year-old has carved out a reputation as one of world rugby’s finest finishers, combining blistering pace with a box-office ability to score spectacular tries.
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The sport’s biggest stage now awaits a player good enough to thrill a worldwide audience through his dazzling skill set. Asked to compare his speed with a year ago, Gloucester star Rees-Zammit said: “I would say I am even faster.
“I feel the fittest I have ever been, and I am just raring to go. In terms of numbers, I am definitely quicker than last season. Being so fit, it just allows you to repeat and repeat all day. Being able to do it once or twice isn’t good enough. I have got to maintain that and keep doing it.
“The (training) camps in Switzerland and Turkey lived up to expectations. They were the hardest things I have ever done. I feel so fit now. I am ready to perform, I am ready to play. We are all ready to go.
“We have got some very quick players – Rio (Dyer), Josh (Adams), the whole back-three, Mason Grady is rapid as well and the nines are very quick. We have got great pace in this squad.”
Fellow wing Adams has proved a source of inspiration to Rees-Zammit, who remembers watching as a 17-year-old while he excelled at the last World Cup in Japan. Adams’ finished the tournament as the top try-scorer with seven, a figure bettered only by three players in one World Cup campaign – Jonah Lomu, Bryan Habana and Julian Savea.
Adams’ 20 tries for Wales mean he is in the same try bracket as greats like Gareth Edwards and Gerald Davies, and Rees-Zammit is a huge fan. “Josh helps me massively, doing analysis and making me learn the game better,” Rees-Zammit added.
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“He has done it all, he has been on a (British and Irish) Lions tour and he has been top try-scorer at the World Cup. He is an unbelievable player. I was 17 at the last World Cup watching him score loads of tries while I was at Hartpury College.
“He was unbelievable. He was the stand-out player at the last World Cup. To be able to train and play with him day in, day out is so special.”
Despite his age, Rees-Zammit offers considerable experience on the back of 27 Wales caps and a Lions tour to South Africa in 2021. “I feel quite experienced at such a young age,” he said. “Being on a Lions tour was amazing but being at a World Cup for your country is really special as well.
“I would never have thought I would have gone to a World Cup, so I am absolutely over the moon to have this opportunity. I have got to take it now.”
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Latest Comments
The writer here ignores the fact that, following on from not taking the penalty kick, the All Blacks did manage to score a try a few minutes later. Not directly from the penalty awarded, but it is speculation to say that had they opted to take the koi they would have won. Even if they kicked it, which was no guarantee, they would still be trailing and would have had to start again at half-way.
Go to commentsI would be surprised if Sales Opoku Fordjour and Northampton’s Tommy Freeman are not in the team, Anthony Watson is also one that could go on the wing. One thing I must say is that the front 3 will get destroyed against a team like South Africa.
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