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Wales Online
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wales international blasts Louis Rees-Zammit treatment and poses telling question
Wales international blasts Louis Rees-Zammit treatment and poses telling question Louis Rees-Zammit is forging a path in the NFL now Louis Rees-Zammit appeared on the Stock to Rugby podcast (Image: Stick to Rugby/YouTube ) Former Wales hooker Scott Baldwin has criticised the treatment of Wales star Louis Rees-Zammit during the early days of his career. Former Wales wing Rees-Zammit was told he would never play for Wales by former Cardiff defence coach Richard Hodges when he was in the club's academy. The rest is history, with Rees-Zammit moving to England where he took the Gallagher Premiership by storm with Gloucester before winning 32 caps for Wales and touring South Africa with the British & Irish Lions in 2021. Rees-Zammit sensationally quit rugby union for a shot at the NFL early last year but things could have been very different for the 24-year-old. Baldwin, who is now head coach of Super Rygbi Cymru club Bridgend, took to Instagram to criticise Cardiff's approach to Rees-Zammit in those formative years. "Happens too much, another example is Leigh Halfpenny," said Baldwin. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "No coach at any age has the right to try and kill someone's dream! Article continues below "Imagine Louis Rees-Zammit and Pence (Halfpenny) had listened to those coaches! "I also got told by a coach while at Ospreys a similar thing, luckily he left before he could get rid of me." Rees-Zammit reposted Baldwin's post on his own Instagram reel. Former Wales and British & Irish Lions legend Halfpenny was not offered a contract by the Ospreys at a young age but luckily got picked up by Cardiff. If Rees-Zammit had listened to Hodges' opinion a successful career would have been flushed down the toilet before it had even began. The Jacksonville Jaguars star appeared as a guest of the latest episode of The Overlap's Stick To Rugby podcast, where he spoke about the period prior to him receiving his first international cap. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Rees-Zammit was asked about how he signed for Gloucester's academy from Cardiff Blues (as they were known at the time, now Cardiff Rugby). The winger explained that having gone through the system at Cardiff Schools and Cardiff Blues under-16s, he came to the realisation he wanted to attend Hartpury College in Gloucester. However, the former Wales star claimed that Cardiff Blues gave him a stark ultimatum: "If you go across the bridge, you're not allowed to play for Cardiff." "I ended up just making the decision to leave Cardiff Blues," explained Rees-Zammit. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free "I went over to Hartpury College, and then within two weeks I had a trial at Gloucester, their academy. "Before that, when they ended up making the decision to leave Cardiff Blues and go to Hartpury, it was a tough decision, because there is one person that told me that I would never play for Wales." "That one person who told you that you would never play for Wales, have you seen them recently? Do you want to name and shame him now or not?" asked England legend Lawrence Dallaglio. Article continues below "It's Richard Hodges," answered Rees-Zammit. "He was obviously the Cardiff Blues head of academy at the time." "100% they were trying to scare me," he added. "They said it to me and my dad. I went to watch a Cardiff Blues game as a fan and he said that to me and my dad after. It kind of actually just put me off it, (I thought) I'm definitely going over there now now."
Wales Online
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as cult hero lands Welsh coaching job and North goes controversial with Lions call
Today's rugby news as cult hero lands Welsh coaching job and North goes controversial with Lions call These are the rugby stories making headlines on the morning of Saturday, June 28 Cardiff Rugby hero Rey Lee-Lo (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) These are your headlines on the morning of Saturday, June 28 North predicts Lions series George North has predicted a Lions series win in Australia this summer but has "controversially" gone for the hosts to win the first of the three-Test series. Andy Farrell's men get their tour under way on Saturday, with a game against Western Force in Perth the curtain-raiser to a fascinating summer Down Under. A year ago this series was widely predicted to be a whitewash in favour of the tourists but a revival of sorts from the Wallabies during the autumn has seen those predictions revised somewhat. Most are still in the Lions camp but plenty are, like North, feeling that the hosts could be a lot hotter to handle than some may think. Article continues below "I was thinking about this," North told the BBC when asked for his prediction for 2025. "Controversially I'm going to go Australia win the first one, Lions win the second, and it goes down to the third and Lions win 2-1." North's own Lions story in Australia 12 years arguably made him a household name. From picking up and marching Israel Folau back to his brilliant second Test try, North will go down in Lions folklore. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "It's probably the Izzy Folau carry," he said when asked what Lions fans want to talk about when they meet him. "And then it gets on to the try and the excitement and drama the Test series brought. Going to the decider [in 2013] was incredibly special as a player, but as a fan it was also as incredible. "I never thought I'd be able to play for the Lions, playing for your country for me is the biggest honour anyone can award you and I never thought I'd be in the conversation to be a Lion, let alone tour two times. "But to then say you've had an impact that people remember, an iconic moment, it doesn't half put a smile on my face." Cardiff legend lands coaching role with Welsh club Cardiff legend Rey Lee-Lo has landed a coaching role at the Arms Park club following his retirement at the end of the season. Lee-Lo has been appointed as a transition coach and will also mentor some of the young centres at the club like rising Wales U20s stars Steffan Emanuel and Elijah Evans. The Samoa international hung up his boots at the end of the 2024/25 season after a decade in the Welsh capital having previously represented New Zealand Super Rugby outfit the Hurricanes. Lee-Lo is a cult hero at the Arms Park and is undoubtedly among the finest overseas players to have graced the Welsh game. The 38-year-old will coach Cardiff's next generation of players and Matt Sherratt will be hoping his influence will rub off on the likes of Emanuel, Evans, Osian Darwin-Lewis and even Mason Grady who is back in training after recovering from an ankle injury. Lee-Lo joins Sherratt, Corniel van Zyl (forwards), Gethin Jenkins (defence), Jonny Goodridge (attack) and Scott Andrews (assistant forwards coach) in the senior Cardiff coach team for the 2025/26 season. Darge: Gut punch to miss out on Lions Scotland star Rory Darge admits it felt like it was a "gut punch" to miss out on Lions selection this summer. Back-rower Darge will instead be preparing for a summer in the South Pacific, with games against the Maori All Blacks, Fiji and Samoa. The 25-year-old insists, however, that he would be ready to answer Andy Farrell's call should it come via an injury SOS. "Before the squad announcement, I wasn't particularly expecting to be there," admitted Darge. "Part of that might be you're protecting yourself a little bit for when you don't get announced. But I also just think my position is so competitive. "Even still, when the names are getting read out and you're watching it on TV, they are going in alphabetical order and it gets past your name, it does feel like a gut punch. "I was obviously delighted for the other boys who did get picked. But it's a weird mix of emotions. I've got a lot on my plate with Scotland at the moment and we're focusing on trying to get three wins from three. Article continues below "The Lions obviously aren't my main focus. But, yeah, if the call was to come, I would certainly be ready for it."
Wales Online
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Nigel Owens: My true feelings on the bunker system and why rugby needs to get serious
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Those who will be watching the Lions this summer will have probably watched the game on Friday. I think some perhaps didn't know how good a side Argentina are, and how they've come along in the last 10 or 15 years. They really are a great, well-coached side now that have beaten some of the very best in the world. So I wouldn't be reading too much into the result, as disappointing as it may have been, but the performance from the Lions was clearly a little bit rusty, and they've got a few weeks now to ramp up that first Test and get the combinations right. At the moment there's a lot of talk about performances of different players. Captain Maro Itjoe probably wasn't at his usual best on the day. As a player, I'd compare Itoje to a sort of Alun Wyn Jones-type. Of all those games he had for Wales, apart from maybe his final season, he was always consistent. Always a top performer and you'd very rarely hear, if ever actually, any comments about a below-par performance from him after a game. He will go down in my view as our greatest second row. For me, Itoje is right up there with him, with the likes of your Paul O'Connells and your Martin Johnsons. Always consistent. Very, very rarely did you hear people having a go at them for having an off day. But by his own standards last week, Itoje wasn't at his best, and it's probably the first time I've heard people talking about a below-par performance from him. As the captain as well, hopefully it was a one-off and I'm sure he'll be back to his best and being the leader we all know he can be during the Tests. You need your skipper to be your talisman and I'm sure he'll get back to that against an Australian side that I think will surprise a few people. They're a talented team and they've got one of the shrewdest and most consistent top coaches in Joe Schmidt as well. In terms of other performances, another that's a bit of a Marmite player with people is Henry Pollock. There's no doubting he's a quality player, but he brings a sort of showmanship to it. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Now, there's nothing wrong with that. It that's what makes you perform then great. But you've got to perform, because once you have an off day, everyone wanting to have a go for that showmanship will jump on that wagon. In terms of the Welsh boys, Tomos Williams came on and did well, while Jac Morgan did decent enough, although no doubt more to come from him. It's great, though, that we were all talking about the game and how good Argentina were, rather than talking about the refereeing. For what's worth, though, I thought James Doleman did a good job. Let's just hope that it will be the same during this tour because it will be those three Tests that will matter. Looking back to that first Test win over South Africa last time around, so much of the talk was about the refereeing and Rassie Erasmus' comments as well, which left a bit of a sour taste from an officiating point of view for the whole series. That's not what we want in the game. As a referee, you just want to get on with it and ensure people are talking about a great game and not about you. That's the sign you've done your job. For this series, there's Andrea Piardi, who did the URC final and did a pretty good job, to be fair to him. Then there's the Georgian referee Nika Amashukeli, and obviously Ben O'Keefe. Three quality referees with plenty of experience overall - and they'll need it because the Lions is the same as the World Cup and Six Nations. When you referee the summer Tests or the Autumn Internationals, no one takes much notice of the officiating. If you make a mistake or have a below-par performance, not much of a fuss is made about it. But if you're in something like the Lions when the whole world is watching, you're scrutinised 10 times as much. So there's a huge amount of pressure on you as a referee when you go into these games. For me, the referees just need to go out there and get it right when it matters. Get the big decisions bang on. Don't worry about the 50-50s, let the game flow. I just hope at the end of the summer, all the talk is about a great series of rugby and not any controversies during it. There's no doubt there will be some talking points, but I just hope it's minimal and we don't have a repeat of what happened after the first Test in South Africa, which doesn't do anybody any good, certainly not the game of rugby. Of course, there's always something that brings about a big debate or something in the office on a Monday morning. Whether it be a try, a particular performance or indeed a refereeing decision. One of the incidents that has been dissected this week has been Immanuel Feyi-Waboso's red card for England against France. I've said in the past that I'm not a big fan of the bunker. I just think that if something's a red card, you'll know it's a red card and you should be down to 14 men for the rest of the game, not 20 minutes. It just feels like the referee doesn't make the decision any more. It's given to someone in the bunker, who on most occasions haven't been anywhere near the field of an international game as a referee, and then he's got to make a decision on what could be a defining moment. Experience and ability is crucial for these big moments and that should be down to the referee on the day. I feel the referee is there because he's the best person to do that job and he should be making that decision. If I was refereeing and I wanted to decide if something was a yellow or a red, I'd be wanting to make that decision myself. I wouldn't want to pass that decision on to someone else. It naturally becomes a talking point then. But for all the noise there's only one person to really blame - and that's the player. You can't go in like that and make a tackle around someone's head or neck. There's no debate about that. Players need to learn or change that behaviour to avoid making those tackles. If players change their behaviour and tackle down lower, then we wouldn't be having these discussions about officiating or the bunker. I don't think the bunker has really prevented players from going in and committing those reckless tackles, either, and ultimately that's what we want. If you want to be serious about it, then a red card should also mean a red card and. In my view, I still think the bans for players should be longer too. It shouldn't be reduced because someone says sorry, or because they agree to a tackling school with probably the same coach that was teaching them how to tackle before. If we want to be serious about it, a six-week ban should be a six-week ban.
Wales Online
a day ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
The likely Wales team Matt Sherratt will pick to face Japan next week
The likely Wales team Matt Sherratt will pick to face Japan next week Wales will look to break their record losing run against Japan next Saturday Dewi Lake will be a key figure for Wales this summer (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency ) Wales landed in Japan this week determined to end their 17-game losing streak. Matt Sherratt's side take on Japan in the first Test in Kitakyushu next Saturday. There is just one place separating Wales in 12th and Japan in 13th in the World Rugby rankings. Wales are favourites to overcome Japan but it won't be easy, especially with former Australia and England coach Eddie Jones in charge of the Brave Blossoms. Here is the matchday 23 Sherratt is likely to select for the first Test. 15. Blair Murray Despite a desperately poor season results-wise, Murray has been one of the only players who has risen above the mediocrity to impress. The 23-year-old isn't the biggest of men but he is a deadly broken-field runner with electric footwork and is an excellent finisher who makes good decisions under pressure. Article continues below Murray also enjoyed a fine debut campaign for the Scarlets and was named in the United Rugby Championship team of the season, albeit on the wing. Should thrive in Japan where Wales are planning to play an expansive game. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. 14. Tom Rogers The 26-year-old has been one of Wales' better players this season and was excellent for the Scarlets as they reached the URC play-offs. Rogers is very good under the highball and like Murray is a dangerous broken-field runner with pace to burn. The Scarlets man is also an excellent finisher and should thrive in Japan and Wales will undoubtedly want to get his hands on the ball as much as possible. 13. Joe Roberts Roberts has had a difficult time with injuries over the past couple of seasons and it has taken a bit of time for the 25-year-old to get back to his best. But he hit top form for the Scarlets during the latter stages of the campaign as they reached the URC play-offs before putting up a good fight in a defeat to Leinster in the quarter-finals. Roberts is an explosive runner who tends to ghost his way past defenders and is very physical in the contact area. There's still a few rough edges with his decision making with ball in hand needing to improve but if he can stay fit he can be an asset to Wales moving forward. 12. Ben Thomas There's a strong argument for Johnny Williams to start at 12 given his excellent form for the Scarlets towards the tail end of the season and his partnership with Roberts. But Sherratt is a big fan of Ben Thomas who perhaps suits the attacking brand of rugby the Cardiff coach wants to employ. Thomas is a lovely footballer with a crisp passing game and tons of peripheral vision, while his kicking isn't bad either. The Cardiff playmaker will be central to Wales' attack firing. 11. Josh Adams The 30-year-old has been plagued by injuries over the past couple of seasons and has struggled to reach the heights which won him a place in the British & Irish Lions squad to tour South Africa in 2021. But Adams remains one of best wings in Welsh rugby and his experience will be invaluable if Wales are to turn around a record run of 17-straight Test match defeats. Adams may have lost a bit of pace but he is still a potent finisher who is strong defensively and under the high ball. 10. Sam Costelow This is a close-run thing between Costelow and Ospreys playmaker Dan Edwards but the Scarlets man might just edge it. It is even possible they will start a Test each in Japan. Costelow was a key figure in the Scarlets' late-season resurgence, with his ability to take the ball to the line, his running threat and his kicking game standing out. With 20 international caps to his name Costelow really needs to kick on and make the number 10 shirt his own. 9. Kieran Hardy The 29-year-old has been in outstanding form for the Ospreys and thoroughly deserves an international recall after getting left out of the Six Nations squad. Hardy has always been strong at the fundamentals with his box kicking and slick service standing out but he is also a threat with ball in hand. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free The Ospreys number nine will be a key figure in Japan this summer with his partnership with either Costelow or Edwards crucial to the outcome. 8. Taulupe Faletau The 34-year-old must surely be high up on the Lions' standby list so will want to be at his very best for Wales in Japan this summer. He might be at the tail-end of his career but Faletau remains a quality operator and Wales are a far poorer team without the Cardiff No 8. As always Faletau will be required to get Wales over the gainline and lead from the front in Japan. 7. Tommy Reffell With Jac Morgan away with the Lions, Reffell will surely wear the number seven shirt in the first Test. The 26-year-old has been in excellent form for Leicester and played a crucial role in the east Midlands club reaching the Gallagher Premiership final where they were beaten by Bath at Twickenham. Japan will want to play fast and furious, meaning Reffell will be one of Wales' most important players given it is mainly down to him to slow down the speed of ruck ball. 6. Aaron Wainwright The 27-year-old has been one of Wales' better players during this wretched run of results and will be a key figure in Japan. Wainwright has a nice blend of athleticism and physicality and the Dragons man will be tasked with getting Wales over the gain line. Wales will also likely use Wainwright in the wide channels with his explosiveness and offloading games a potential asset to Sherratt's side. 5. Teddy Williams The 24-year-old has been in fine form for Cardiff this season and is the type of player who would thrive in the frantic pace and the searing heat of Japan. Williams is an athletic second-row who is a top-class lineout operator, while he is also very effective in driving lineouts. The Cardiff lock has had to bide his time in the international arena but with Will Rowlands, Dafydd Jenkins and Adam Beard missing, this could well be his chance. 4. James Ratti The 27-year-old is the unsung hero of the Ospreys pack and is the type of player who gets through a mountain of unseen dirty work which allows others to shine. Ratti is a powerful carrier who adds a lot of weight in the scrum and should complement the more athletic Williams well. The Ospreys man won his only Wales cap against South Africa at Twickenham last summer and will view this tour as a chance to progress his international career. 3. Archie Griffin The 23-year-old was a revelation on Wales' tour of Australia last summer, putting in a remarkable 26 tackles in 74 minutes in a narrow defeat to the Wallabies. Griffin is a very dynamic carrier capable of making post-contact metres, makes a lot of tackles and is a strong jackler at the breakdown. His scrummaging can be a bit inconsistent but he is capable at the set-piece and gave world-class Wallabies loosehead Angus Bell an outing at the Principality Stadium last November. 2. Dewi Lake (captain) The Ospreys man will undoubtedly be bitterly disappointed to have missed out on a place on the Lions tour having been touted as a potential tourist for much of the past year. A series of injuries which curtailed his minutes on the field, particularly during the Six Nations, probably damaged his chances. But he will be a vitally important figure for Wales in Japan with his leadership, powerful carrying game, set-piece prowess and his work at the breakdown standing out. 1. Nicky Smith The 31-year-old has been a revelation in his first season at Leicester Tigers and gave world-class Springboks tighthead Thomas du Toit a hiding at times in the Gallagher Premiership final. Smith is a very destructive scrummager and it has been a long time since anyone got the better of the former Ospreys star at the set-piece. The man from Swansea isn't the biggest prop but he carries well with his footwork at the point of contact - a nice trait - while he also gets through a lot of work in defence and at the breakdown. Replacements 16. Elliot Dee The experienced Dragons man is the most accurate hooker in Wales when it comes to throwing into the lineout. Dee will have an important part to play in Japan but will probably be backing up Lake. 17. Gareth Thomas The Ospreys prop is an underrated player who is a solid scrummager and hits really hard in defence. 18. Keiron Assiratti The 27-year-old is a solid scrummager and a talented ball player. It's imperative Wales gain the upper hand at scrum time and Assiratti is likely to share game-time with Griffin. 19. Freddie Thomas The conditions and the style of play will likely suit the Gloucester lock in Japan. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Thomas is an athletic forward who is comfortable playing a high octane and expansive brand of rugby. 20. Taine Plumtree The 25-year-old was left out of the Six Nations squad due to his ill-discipline but proceeded to fix that issue and was outstanding for the Scarlets during the latter half of the season. Plumtree's versatility will be useful for Wales. 21. Reuben Morgan-Williams The 27-year-old has had to bide his time for a first cap but it is likely to come this summer which would be just rewards for his consistency for the Ospreys over the past few seasons. 22. Dan Edwards As was stated above it is a close call between Costelow and Edwards for the starting berth. Whatever direction Sherratt decides to go in Edwards will have a big role to play in Japan, whether that is through starting or seeing the game out as a replacement. 23. Macs Page The 20-year-old is one of the finest prospects in Welsh rugby and has tons of x-factor. Article continues below Page is an explosive carrier with wicked footwork and a dangerous turn of pace. The uncapped Scarlets man, who can play centre or wing, looks destined for a long international career.
Wales Online
a day ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Australia rugby legend carpets British & Irish Lions and gives them a new nickname
Australia rugby legend carpets British & Irish Lions and gives them a new nickname The outspoken rugby great has hit out at Andy Farrell's side with a withering attack British and Irish Lions' Tadhg Beirne and Ellis Genge (Image: PA Wire ) Outspoken Wallabies legend David Campese has launched a scathing attack on the British and Irish Lions, mocking the make-up of their squad and questioning head coach Andy Farrell's selections ahead of Saturday's clash with Western Force in Perth. Speaking to talkSPOR, the outspoken former Australia winger criticised the number of players in the Lions squad with Southern Hemisphere heritage, dubbing the side the 'British and Irish and Pacific Island Lions'. 'It's hard when you've got four nations in one team,' Campese said. 'The Irish Lions – sorry, the British and Irish and Pacific Island Lions, I'm going to call them – because you've got so many Australian Islanders in there. It's going to be a very interesting game.' Campese didn't stop there. He singled out Lions captain Maro Itoje, claiming the England lock 'fails to lead by example' and could prove a liability during the tour. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. The 1991 World Cup winner also cast doubt over Farrell's squad selections following their recent loss to Argentina and took aim at the state of the game in his homeland. Article continues below 'In Australian rugby, we haven't got any culture, no one cares, no one knows who we are,' he said. 'If you haven't got culture and history, you haven't got anything. Unfortunately, that's where we are in Australia.' Campese also criticised current Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt, questioning his connection to the Australian game. 'We've got Joe Schmidt as our coach, who still doesn't know about our culture and history. Now he's got Les Kiss involved, who's a rugby league guy who went out and played and coached in Ireland,' he said. 'We've got to try and play a style of rugby that people want to watch. At the moment, it's a very, very up and down defensive game.' It's not the first time Campese has had the Lions in his crosshairs over the last few days. After Farrell's side's opening defeat by Argentina in Dublin last week, the 62-year-old tore individual Lions apart in a withering assessment. In a no-holds-barred column, Campese questioned the physicality, tactical nous and positional selections of Farrell's side, saying bluntly in his PlanetRugby column: 'If they perform like they did in Dublin during the Test series, they'll be toast Down Under. "I'd go so far as to say they'll lose 3–0 unless they can fix a few things and fix them quickly.' He also issued a stark warning that unless the Lions rediscover that fire, they will be blown away in Australia: 'Wearing the Lions shirt carries with it a weight of expectation. Those challenges were not met on Friday night.' Article continues below The Lions begin their 2025 tour of Australia on Saturday against Western Force, with the first Test against the Wallabies taking place on July 19 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
