By no means a uninteresting day in Welsh rugby. That evaluation from Wales head coach Warren Gatland can’t be disputed.

Right here comes a lightning bolt from the blue from the person identified in some elements as ‘Rees lightning’ or just ‘LRZ.’

The 22-year-old pin-up boy of Welsh rugby explaining to the world he has stop the game with fast impact to pursue a profession within the NFL. Chasing his personal American dream.

It takes so much to shock folks in Welsh rugby now.

Inside the previous two years now we have had humiliating residence defeats by Italy and Georgia. A primary away win for the boys’s workforce in South Africa. Head coach was Wayne Pivac sacked and Gatland returned for a second stint in cost. An impartial evaluate discovered points of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) tradition have been sexist, misogynistic, racist and homophobic and never correctly challenged. Chief govt Steve Phillips stepping down.

Wales gamers threatened to strike earlier than a Six Nations match towards England with captain Ken Owens saying Welsh rugby has turn out to be a laughing inventory in entrance of the tv cameras. Legends Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric retired from worldwide rugby on the identical day after being named in a Wales coaching squad. Have I missed something? Most likely.

Some seismic days in Welsh rugby. Now this.

It was simply meant to be a Six Nations squad announcement. Nothing main. An unveiling at 12:00 GMT to call the 30 or so gamers who could be representing Gatland’s aspect within the 2024 event.

A brand new captain was anticipated with accidents to Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake, plus a number of new caps to fill the void left by injured and retired gamers following the 2023 World Cup. A brand new four-year cycle. Some significance. Nothing revolutionary.

Midday got here and went. Nothing. The press pack waited on the Wales coaching base. Perhaps Gatland was sweating on a number of accidents. No panic. Information would come via quickly.

It actually did. However not the knowledge anyone was anticipating. Nearly 45 minutes later information Rees-Zammit was off to attempt his hand at American soccer. Oh and sure, he was leaving for Florida on Friday.

There have been gasps. Bewilderment. Not often does a narrative rock you in your heels, take you utterly off guard however this was a kind of moments. Even Gatland himself stated he solely discovered an hour earlier than the announcement.

The Welsh squad revealed particulars of Dafydd Jenkins set to be Wales’ second youngest captain in historical past behind Sir Gareth Edwards, Lake and Taulupe Faletau lacking the event via harm, no room for England prospect Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 5 younger lads in Cameron Winnett, Alex Mann, Mackenzie Martin, Evan Lloyd and Archie Griffin being chosen for the primary time in one of the inexperienced and unproven Wales squads in dwelling reminiscence.

None of that appeared to matter. It was some time earlier than anyone actually scrutinised the 34-man squad correctly. One identify took centre stage. And he wasn’t even chosen.

Momentary or everlasting?

So will we ever see Rees-Zammit return to rugby? Gatland is uncertain.

“There aren’t lots of people who make it within the NFL who have not been introduced up with the sport and performed it at a younger age,” stated Gatland.

“There’s most likely not lots of distinction with rugby league gamers [trying to play union] – until you have been introduced up enjoying union, some are capable of make it however only a few. So it’ll be a problem for him, however good luck to him.”

Gatland mirrored on earlier rugby gamers who had seemed to interrupt into American soccer.

“We noticed Christian Wade do it and in the event you have a look at rugby league, there was Jarryd Hayne from Australia who had a number of video games however wasn’t actually capable of crack it,” stated Gatland.

“Christian bought fairly near doing it. He was a bit older although. Louis sees it as a possibility at his age – and if he does not take that likelihood now, it most likely will not come round once more.

“I do not know sufficient concerning the sport. I do not watch a lot NFL. I am only a informal fan like lots of people I would watch the Tremendous Bowl.

“However he is been a giant fan as a teen and he is bought a excessive profile away from the sport when it comes to social media, so this most likely helps him improve that, I am not saying that is a destructive in any respect.”

Gatland has praised Rees-Zammit’s growth as a participant on the World Cup the place he scored 5 tries in 5 video games.

“I believed he was excellent within the World Cup,” stated Gatland.

“The pleasing factor for me was he hardly missed a coaching session and he was enjoying properly.

“I nonetheless thought there was an enormous quantity of progress in his sport. We noticed final week, that attempt that he scored for Gloucester – it was a sensational particular person attempt.

“However the different aspect is that, as a coach, you need to see him get his palms on the ball extra.

“So there have been nonetheless alternatives to develop his sport, to make him a greater rugby participant, however he is made the choice to go down one other path. He will get an opportunity to go and do one thing he is dreamt about for a very long time.”

‘He is a freak as an athlete’

Gatland believes Rees-Zammit possesses the bodily prowess required for the NFL.

“We all know what an athlete he’s and the way fast he’s. And he is undoubtedly not small; even with that pace he is 100kg and he is bodily.

“He is most likely a little bit of a freak as an athlete. When he got here in to us he wasn’t within the best form when it comes to his bodily health however I have never seen somebody get match as fast as he did, when it comes to the World Cup with us. He’s a freak bodily and will get an opportunity to problem himself.”

Gatland insisted he was by no means going to face in Rees-Zammit’s method.

“It is most likely a bit extra shock than disappointment,” he stated.

“I’ve all the time been a player-first coach. I’ve seen the way in which, up to now, gamers have been handled by different coaches in different environments – negativity for them personally – and I’ve all the time tried to place the gamers first. I’ve by no means stood of their method.

“Lots of the conversations I’ve had with gamers is about, ‘You have to make one of the best selections for your self personally and one of the best resolution for your loved ones’.

“You are in knowledgeable sport surroundings for such a short while in your life and you have to take advantage of the alternatives that come your method.

“We’re upset to lose a expertise like him however we have simply bought to take that on the chin and transfer on.

“The very last thing I can do is dwell on dropping him as a result of the main target has bought to be on getting ready the squad.”

That will likely be Gatland’s job for the opening sport towards Scotland on 3 February in Cardiff. Rees-Zammit won’t be there on the Principality Stadium pitch.

Welsh rugby is perhaps a barely duller place with out him. However it’s by no means uninteresting.