‘Rugby really prepared me for this’ – Louis Rees-Zammit set to find out which sport really is ‘harder hitting’

Posted by Admin July 19, 2024 Football

Louis Rees-Zammit insists that rugby prepared him for the physical demands of the NFL but the Welshman is set to find out which sport really does hit harder.

The ex-Wales and Gloucester star put his rugby career on hold to chase his “dream” of playing American Football.

Rees-Zammit has signed for the defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs and appears to be making a good impression in training.

His natural athleticism has stood out while the 23-year-old’s work ethic has been hailed by both his team-mates and the coaches.

Learning the game

“It’s so different to what I’m used to. In rugby you don’t have to learn as much, but physically I think I’m in good shape,” he told reporters in a press conference.

“I think rugby really prepared me for this, with the conditioning. I think the biggest difference is just mental, staying on top of things, staying on top of the playbook and making no mistakes.

“I’m trying to learn as much as I can and trying to bring what I’ve got already in rugby to the American football side of it, and give it my all.”

The challenge for Rees-Zammit will be taking what he has learnt into a game scenario, which will ultimately decide whether he makes the final 53-man roster.

Pre-season games are coming up in August where the speedster will likely get an opportunity to stake his claim for a spot in the team.

It will also enable him to partly answer an age-old question; which is the physically tougher sport?

Although the matches won’t be quite as intense as the regular season NFL games, it will give Rees-Zammit an idea of what could await him going forward.

“I’m excited, I can’t wait to see the difference. I get that question all time; what is harder hitting, rugby or American football? We’ll soon find out,” he said.

“It’s going to be fun. I’ve played a contact sport since I was 12. That’s bone on bone but we’ll see what it’s like when we come to pads.”

Patrick Mahomes hypes up Louis Rees-Zammit as NFL great sees Welshman’s ‘unreal athletic ability’ first-hand

Help from Pat

NFL athletes are some of the best in the world but Rees-Zammit appears to be up there competing, with Patrick Mahomes stating recently that the 23-year-old’s speed “is real”.

Mahomes has also been among those helping the Welshman adapt to the sport.

“The quarterbacks are very helpful, the likes of Pat, Carson (Wentz), everyone is so helpful, especially with me – a new guy coming in and not really knowing much about a playbook,” Rees-Zammit added.

“They’re trying to allow me to learn, give me time, but at the same time pushing me as hard as I can because I need to try and learn this quickly as there’s not much time.”