There is no doubt that ReesZammit crashed the scene in a big way after the clamour for him to be picked for Wales last season on the back of the tries he was scoring for Gloucester. I don’t think many people realised how quick he was until he was on a global stage with an audience of eight million watching the Wales v England match.
There was a call for entertainment more than anything during the lockdown, and Rees-Zammit brought that with his wonderful individual tries against both Ireland and Scotland. He proved beyond doubt that he is one of the quickest guys in the Six Nations, and also one of the most agile, despite being taller than people think at 6ft 3ins.
Now what he has to recognise is that to be seen as a world-class player you have to be able to do more than play in one position – which means he has to become a true back three utility. To do that he will have to work on his aerial game, in the same way that Jonny May has.
The England winger has become really accomplished in fielding the high ball through his dedication in training, and it is important for Rees-Zammit to learn from that. Any good exit strategy depends on everyone in the back three having the skill-set to cover for each other.
Before Israel Folau left our game he was a great high ball catcher, having already honed his aerial skills playing Rugby League. Folau demonstrated that if you get your timing right contesting the ball in the air, you can turn it into a real strike weapon.
This story is from the March 21, 2021 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 21, 2021 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
