Louis Rees-Zammit admits he has “never worked harder” to represent Wales in the 2023 Rugby Word Cup in France.
This included a move to American football, with him being scouted by the Kansas City Chiefs ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Warren Gatland's pre-world tournament training camps are notorious for their brutality, and Rees-Zammit was experiencing his first training camp.
The 23-year-old made his World Cup debut, scoring five tries as Wales reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated by Argentina.
He then took a break from rugby and took up gridiron racing, joining the NFL's International Pathway Program.
training block
Rees-Zammit participated in a 10-week intensive training camp and will now begin the preseason with the Chiefs as he looks to make the 53-man roster.
But Fryer, who hopes to become a utility option in football playing as a wide receiver, running back and kick returner, admitted that what he endured before the World Cup was sheer barbarity.
“I've never done anything as hard as what I did in Turkey and Switzerland,” he said. rugby pod. “I don't know what pre-season is for the NFL, but it's probably going to be one of the most difficult things ever, Rugby World Cup pre-season camp.”
Rees-Zammit then revealed the difference between the two types of training, with the anaerobic nature of football making it well-suited for the Welshman.
“The difference is that it's more explosive and I don't do long endurance tests or training. It's all about explosive power and speed. It's short and sharp, so it's perfect for me!” he said.
“I thought it would be easier than the World Cup training camp because it suits me. I'm more explosive and value speed. Short, sharp intervals instead of running up and down the pitch all the time.
“There's a big difference and it suits me very well. I knew that, but it was a tough two and a half months.
“Obviously I’m trying to catch up with the boys who have been playing since they were eight years old, so there was a lot of classroom stuff.
“What I was trying to adapt to was not the physical side of the game, but the mental side of the game.”
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After 10 weeks of camp, Rees-Zammit participated in his pro day, giving him a chance to impress NFL scouts.
Although the speedster wasn't necessarily happy with his results, the former Gloucester star admitted this opportunity may have come his way.
nerve
“I don't think I've ever been so nervous in my life. This is my dream. That day is going to pretty much determine what I do with my life,” he added.
“My 40-yard dash didn't go as I expected. (In training) I ran a maximum of 4.2 seconds and a minimum of 4.3 seconds, but I was able to run around 4.43 seconds.
“I’m more of a speed-oriented person and I’m not a sprinter, so I’ve never done track and field or track and field.
“I think it's more important to be able to run in a game, to be able to weave, and that's basically what the NFL allows me to do. I'll never run in a straight line.
“I think the coaches noticed that because my 40 points were not surprising.”
read more: Louis Rees-Zammit: From teenage sensation's breakout to Super Bowl champions
