You’re 22 years old. You have actually constantly delighted in enjoying American football and you have actually simply had a deal to head to Florida to assess your capacity to make it in the mega‑bucks NFL. No assurances however there is a dreadful great deal of money available if you can break the code. Do you state: “Yes, please”? Or do you state: “No, very sorry, we’re playing Castres in the Challenge Cup on Friday”?
Location yourself in the fast‑moving boots of Louis Rees‑Zammit and, in inmost darkest January, you can see right away why the supreme American dream may appeal: if I’m great enough, sweet; if not, a minimum of I tried in my athletic prime. As LRZ explained in his quickly composed goodbye note, this sort of life-altering chance does not happen every day.
On the one hand, all the best to him. On the other, he has actually simply trashed the confident imagine countless Welsh fans. Especially those who would saw off their best arm to represent their nation simply as soon as in the Six Nations at a jam-packed Principality Stadium. Much for the green, green lawn of home and the awesome tingle of the pre-match anthems. It’s everything about your individual brand name nowadays, bois bach
Perhaps it is ignorant or hopelessly old-fashioned to feel unfortunate about the most amazing Welsh back of his age being so fast to quit on something so unique– by all accounts the call from the States came just last Sunday night, so he has actually not invested weeks agonising over it. Perhaps somebody, someplace might likewise have actually recommended him that the sheer timing and absence of notification does him couple of favours. If it does not exercise stateside, universal forgiveness might not be quickly upcoming.
Once again, Rees-Zammit has actually never ever been somebody to sit around and wait for things to occur. “Rees‑Lightning” has actually scored 14 attempts in his 32 Tests for Wales and his skill is genuine enough. Is his self‑confidence. As he informed the Guardian in late 2021, he backs himself versus basically anybody. “The method I take a look at it, the larger the guy I’m up versus, the less he’s going to move.”
He is going to need all his searing rate and more just to make an NFL club lineup. Christian Wade was perhaps even quicker off the mark yet eventually had his aspirations rushed. Desiring be a pass receiver or a kick return expert is all extremely well however countless gifted sprinters in the States currently have an inherent edge. The NFL International Player Pathway program waiting for Rees‑Zammit in Florida is simply the very first of lots of obstacles, with the chances stacked strongly versus him.
Some will argue that even the sight of him trying out a set of shoulder pads is great news for rugby’s worldwide profile in a country where the next-but-one World Cup will be staged in 2031. Others will restate that every person has a right to make whatever choice feels right for them. It is not as if Welsh rugby is now awash with cash or has an excellent group. Rees-Zammit might simply have actually browsed him and chose that avoiding this specific Welsh Six Nations project may not be the outright end of the world.
Above all else, however, it signifies the times, both in rugby and broader society. For all the sincere current eulogies to the terrific JPR Williams, rugby no longer puts in the very same magnetic pull in Wales that it as soon as did. It is likewise a sport which requires gigantic dedication for a definitely modest wage by American football requirements. In business terms rugby is a pimple on the NFL’s substantial behind and, from Gen Z’s point of view, there are sexier sports out there.
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Why would professional athletes in their early 20s not desire to sample life beyond Kingsholm or Cardiff Arms Park? Rees-Zammit’s home designer daddy, Joe, is a long-lasting American football fan and there is a huge broad world out there. If he winds up returning to rugby, smarter for the experience, there will be no scarcity of groups in Britain, France and Japan more than delighted to provide an agreement to a gamer who currently has the valuable capability to put bottoms on seats.
In the much shorter term, however, that does not significantly help Wales. Or, possibly, the British & & Irish Lions in Australia next year. Since if he does go back to include in the 2025 Six Nations, Rees-Zammit is truly going to need to rip it approximately encourage Andy Farrell he is worthy of a location ahead of more devoted, unselfish group gamers.
If that sounds a bit extreme, it is simply a reality of life. Rugby union may in some cases be viewed as a Mickey Mouse sport compared to expert arena however there are 143 years of Test match history woven into the red jersey Rees‑Zammit has actually summarily discarded. He is completely entitled to go to Florida and pursue whatever dream he likes however it is likewise a big gamble. And when Wales’s gamers line up to sing Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau before the Scotland video game in Cardiff a fortnight on Saturday, it may be best to prevent any badge-clutching.