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Louis Rees-Zammit's 'fans' tweet ignites lively Six Nations debate
Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit has ignited a lively debate on Twitter after endorsing the idea that his country’s home matches in the upcoming 2022 Six Nations championship should be moved to England in order to accommodate full capacity crowds. Current pandemic restrictions have resulted in live sport taking place behind closed doors in Wales, while there have also been reductions in Scotland (500), Ireland (5,000) and France (5,000).
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The clampdown has resulted in concerns that the Six Nations, which took place entirely behind closed doors in 2021, will be severely impacted again. While organisations such as the IRFU have insisted they are preparing to host Ireland’s February 5 opener versus Wales in Dublin, the WRU have reportedly scouted out venues in England to stage their round two home game versus Scotland on February 12.
Wembley is reportedly unavailable due to its football schedule but there is a vast array of alternative stadiums available should the restrictions on live sport capacity continue in Wales and leave the WRU looking to take their home games to England rather than play them with no fans in attendance in Cardiff.
BBC Wales has reported on the speculation that a switch could happen and this story gained the approval overnight of Rees-Zammit, the 2021 Lions tourist who plays his club rugby with Gloucester in the Gallagher Premiership. “Rugby is nothing without fans,” commented the soon-to-be 21-year-old who has played ten times for Wales. “Make this happen!!”
His comment lit up Twitter, gaining just under 2,000 likes in ten hours and more than 100 retweets. Some fans were upset with the idea that they have already forked out money for tickets and accommodation in Cardiff.
Rugby is nothing without fans ? make this happen!! ? https://t.co/KPQAy89KZI
— Louis Rees-Zammit ?? (@LouisReesZammit) January 5, 2022
One fan wrote: “All the tickets in Cardiff are already allocated. If it can be played in England then why can’t (Mark) Drakeford just allow fans in Cardiff? I have tickets to two games but if it is in England I can’t afford to fork out more money!”
Another wrote in support of the switch to England: “These rules that Drakeford has put in for the government and sport is getting ridiculous. Not fair in the slightest. Yet England get a full stadium. Oh well, it’s only across the border so no doubt Welsh fans will be flooding in (if this does happen).”
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Rees-Zammit’s support for the idea that Wales’ home games could take place in front of capacity crowds in England has come in a week of much speculation regarding the staging of the 2022 tournament.
For instance, Exeter boss Rob Baxter explained on Wednesday why he wouldn’t have an issue if England went ahead and staged all 15 matches in the tournament, mirroring how Australia has been the host for most of the 2020 and 2021 matches in the southern hemisphere’s Rugby Championship.
Comments on RugbyPass
Completely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
54 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
54 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to comments