Bristol Post

Louis: I’ll play wherever needed

- Andrew BALDOCK

WALES star Louis Rees-Zammit says he will play “wherever they pick me” following an impressive Test match switch to full-back.

The Gloucester wing had played there just twice before in more than 80 appearance­s for club, country and the British and Irish Lions.

But he took it to the role effortless­ly, combining trademark attacking guile with defensive authority and prodigious kicking in Wales’ 20-13 Autumn Nations Series victory over Argentina.

With Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams both injured, Rees-Zammit, pictured, stepped in, although he was quick to acknowledg­e Halfpenny’s assistance during the build-up.

“I will play wherever they pick me. So long as I can help the team, whether that is in attack or defence, I will try my best,” he said.

“All week, Leigh and I sat at the computers doing loads of analysis.

“The difference is in the back-field. You are constantly there, and with the kicking into the 22 rule now you can’t afford to let the opposition in your half.

“Myself and Leigh looked through everything, and I felt confident going into the game.

“I was aware of Argentina’s threats and of getting myself into position quickly so they weren’t going to be allowed opportunit­ies. There is a lot of kicking these days, so there are kick battles which you have to stay in. But when the opportunit­y does come, my eyes light up. Against a team like Argentina they don’t give you that much space, so you have to try and play a bit of ping-pong with them and see who crumbles first.” Halfpenny could be in contention to face Georgia next weekend after being sidelined because of a hamstring problem, so whether Rees-Zammit stays at full-back remains to be seen. But he again underlined world-class quality and gave Wales head coach Wayne Pivac another option as the World Cup countdown continues. “I can play there (full-back), and I will play there if needed,” added Rees-Zammit.

 ?? ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom