Louis Rees-Zammit believes Wales can go 'the whole way' at World Cup

Wales star Louis Rees-Zammit is intent on becoming ‘the best player in the world’ ahead of the Rugby World Cup and wants to prove his big-game ability in France – as he tips his side to go ‘the whole way’

Louis Rees-Zammit thinks Wales can pull off a surprise at the Rugby World Cup
Welsh winger reveals he wants ‘more than rugby’ in new BBC documentary
Wales get their World Cup campaign underway against Fiji on September 10
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There is a line from Louis Rees-Zammit in his excellent, insightful behind-the-scenes documentary which airs on BBC One Wales on Monday that stands out.

‘Rugby has been amazing for me, but I want more,’ Rees-Zammit says. ‘I want more than rugby.’

How refreshing. On the eve of the World Cup and after a disastrous season dominated by off-field misery, rugby in both England and Wales needs players like Rees-Zammit.

In a sport too often dominated by turgid media interviews and a reluctance to stand out from the crowd, Rees-Zammit is one of the few prepared to raise his head above the parapet.

To hear one of the sport’s true potential superstars honestly articulate his feelings ahead of rugby’s biggest showpiece is to be given cause for hope for the future.

Louis Rees-Zammit says he wants ‘more than rugby’ in his behind-the-scenes documentary on BBC One Wales

The Welsh winger is one of the few modern rugby players prepared to raise his head above the parapet and say what he thinks

The 22-year-old tells Mail Sport he is ‘fully focused’ on becoming the best player in the world

It has been in short supply recently, certainly in British rugby. Three Premiership clubs went to the wall last season and there were countless other problems too.

Rugby needs superstars in order to grow. In the likes of Rees-Zammit, Marcus Smith and Canan Moodie, it has young players prepared to be tall poppies in a bid to make successes of themselves, their teams, and the sport they play. They must not be cut down.

‘I’m fully focused on becoming the best player in the world,’ Rees-Zammit tells MailSport.

And what about Wales at the World Cup? ‘I honestly think we have the ability to go the whole way,’ Rees-Zammit adds.

No shortage of confidence there.

But that is Rees-Zammit, a man who is aware of his own ability and self-worth and is prepared to do things other players aren’t, both on and off the field.

His documentary – which follows the Gloucester back’s rugby career and his life away from the sport – is his latest venture.

Rees-Zammit has also recently launched a new energy drink business. ‘I know I probably can’t retire from the money in rugby so having businesses on the side to complement that is amazing,’ Rees-Zammit says.

‘Hopefully more players can do documentaries and tell their stories. We definitely need to grow the game of rugby in terms of offering behind-the-scenes footage and seeing what players have to go through to be professional. It’s not just about rugby, it’s about you as a human being.

‘I just wanted to inspire others and hopefully I’ve done that.’

Rees-Zammit certainly has a good story to tell. Four years ago, the now 22-year-old was not even a professional player. His rise with Gloucester, Wales and the Lions has been quick.

The BBC One Wales documentary refers to Rees-Zammit as Welsh rugby’s ‘new golden boy’ and it’s ‘next rockstar’

The documentary details his extraordinary highs – and some lows – and refers to Rees-Zammit as Welsh rugby’s new ‘golden boy’ and its ‘next rockstar.’

‘He’s very un-Welsh in that he wants to put himself out there,’ Wales fly-half Dan Biggar says of his team-mate. Rees-Zammit adds: ‘I play at my best when I’m not thinking about the risks and I’m just thinking about the rewards. Whenever I get the ball, I want to do something with it.

‘Big matches – bring it on.

‘Rees-Zammit is a fan of American sports and has been inspired by series like Netflix’s Quarterback which tells the stories of some of the NFL’s biggest names.

‘Hopefully me doing a documentary and inspiring other kids to become professional rugby players can grow the game. That’s what it’s all about,’ he says.

With sponsorship deals with Adidas and BMW and hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, Rees-Zammit is every inch the modern sportsman.

He is the butt of his team-mates jokes for his love of a holiday, earning the nickname ‘St Tropez away’. ‘I want a good life,’ Rees-Zammit says in the documentary.

Four years ago, Rees-Zammit was not even a professional player. He has since represented Gloucester, Wales and the Lions

Thanks to his rugby ability, Rees-Zammit has exactly that but even he has not had things all his way in his short time in rugby so far. He was dropped by former Wales head coach Wayne Pivac for the 2022 Six Nations game with England and was ‘really f***** off’ to be so.

There have also been injuries, including an ankle issue.

‘I’m feeling the fittest I’ve ever felt, like I’m on top form,’ says Rees-Zammit, who still lives at home with his parents Joe and Maxine in Llandaff.

Wales’ World Cup Pool C fixtures

Vs Fiji in Bordeaux, September 10

Vs Portugal in Nice, September 16

Vs Australia in Lyon, September 24

Vs Georgia in Nantes, October 7

‘Everything has come so quickly for me and I’ve just been trying to ride the wave. It’s a pinch me moment I’m going to a World Cup. Four years ago, I wasn’t even a professional player.

‘A World Cup is unbelievable and a dream come true. Social media is massive now. Everything is on there.

‘At the very start of my career I got loads of followers after my try against Scotland. That gave me the opportunity to get different deals which has been amazing. Times are changing.

‘I think people are getting used to the social media side of sport which has gone to another level now. I think lots of players are pushing it now. That might not have been the case before.’

Another of Rees-Zammit’s nicknames is ‘Rees-Lightning’ given his remarkable speed. He has had a lightning bolt tattooed on his arm ahead of the World Cup and his documentary shows him running 100 metres in 10.44 seconds – a time that would have placed him eighth in the UK Athletics men’s final earlier this summer.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland will hope Rees-Zammit leaves opposition defenders trailing in his wake in France, starting against Fiji in Bordeaux next weekend.

Gatland’s side arrived at their Versailles training base in France on Sunday.

Rees-Zammit’s parents and brother Taylor will be supporting him on the game’s biggest stage, as they have done ever since he rose to the top.

The 22-year-old has hundreds of thousands of followers on social media and thinks ‘people are getting used to the social media side of sport’

Wales coach Warren Gatland will be hoping Rees-Zammit can leave defenders in his wake at the World Cup in France

‘My family mean everything to me,’ Rees-Zammit says. ‘I love them so much and they’ve done so much for me, so I try to give back to them whether that’s through a present or playing well at the weekend. As long as I can make them happy that’s all that matters to me.

‘There are a lot of youngsters who are probably going to light up the World Cup but I’m fully focused on Wales to be honest. Everyone has written us off.

‘That motivates us even more to be honest. We’re all confident in ourselves. We’ve got to go out there and perform and think about ourselves and not all the noise.

‘We need to have the ability to flick the switch and I think we will.’

Being Louis Rees-Zammit airs on BBC One Wales at 9pm on Monday and is also available on BBC iPlayer

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