No sign of 'Rees-Zammit for Wales' calls dying down ahead of the Six Nations
Very few people would have known the name of Gloucester’s 18-year-old winger Louis Rees-Zammit two months ago, but he is now one of the most talked about players in Wales and England.
While he made his debut at the end of last season, becoming the Cherry and Whites’ youngest ever Premiership player, it was only during a barnstorming December that he truly announced himself, racking up five league tries, the second-most this season so far, and being named the Gallagher Premiership player of the month.
Since then, pandamonium has ensued. Eddie Jones has set his sights on the Welsh-born player, which ignited calls for the teenager to be called up for Wales to end the interest from their bitterest rival.
That fear of losing him to England has abated as Rees-Zammit has said that he only intends on playing for Wales. Yet, the campaign for a call-up to Wayne Pivac’s Six Nations squad has not died down.
While it has been pointed out that one good month does not necessarily warrant international selection, Warren Gatland took a similar punt on another 18-year-old in 2010 – George North – which proved to be a stroke of genius.
Superb gesture and looks like he is going places ….hopefully starting with a call up to the Six Nations #Wales
— EGANS? (@egansmind) January 8, 2020
A valid argument, but if you're good enough, you're old enough. Throw him into the mix and may the best wing be picked. NZ don't hold them back. Competition for places is key, IMO.
— Russ Gardner???????#IndyWales (@RussGardner13) January 9, 2020
Deserves to be picked on form and that’s what Pivac should do, doesn’t necessary mean he starts!
— Michael Rees (@MikeRees27) January 9, 2020
The idea is that if a player is good enough, they are old enough, and the Gloucester wing has shown the raw talent and confidence to thrive at Test level at what is the beginning of a new World Cup cycle.
Even though this may be a hasty selection, the rationale is that he will be an established international come 2023.
If you are good enough then you should be in the squad! #enoughsaid
— gareth (@sewardgr) January 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/Morris5R/status/1214194392824717313?s=20
Has to be in the #6nations squad #wales
— #XRPete (@petergreen31) January 8, 2020
Furthermore, it has been stressed that a call-up to the national squad does not necessarily mean he will play for his country in the Six Nations. However, being immersed into such an environment can only be beneficial for a young player.
https://twitter.com/phillipstaffy/status/1214927653171539970?s=20
Especially as we have no 'A team' as the stepping stone, this 6Ns has got to be about development for some of the youngsters. 4 year's out from the next WC and given our injuries and the potential he's clearly showing, he's got to be capped.
— Adrian Thole (@adetholey) January 6, 2020
He can include him in the training squad. As Gatland did with so many players. Gives him valuable exposure to the National level.
— Steven Rhead (@SRheady1) January 6, 2020
The thing that goes against the 18-year-old currently is the strength in depth that Wales have on the wing. With Josh Adams, Owen Lane, Steff Evans, Hallam Amos, North, Johnny McNicholl and possibly even the returning Liam Williams all competing to start out wide for Wales, Rees-Zammit may be surplus to requirements at this stage.
However, if he were a centre, a call-up would surely be in the offing given the crisis that Wales have there.
It is not beyond reason to say that Rees-Zammit may make it into Wales’ training squad in the next few weeks. But even if he doesn’t, the fact that so many people are having such a conversation is a sign of the impact he has already made.
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Comments on RugbyPass
The 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
51 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 commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments