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Louis Rees-Zammit reçoit des offres de trois franchises de la NFL

Louis Rees-Zammit a réalisé un temps impressionnant de 4,44 secondes au sprint de 40 yards

Louis Rees-Zammit réussira-t-il là où le Racingman (et futur joueur de Gloucester) Christian Wade a échoué ?

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L’ancienne superstar du Pays de Galles et des Lions (23 ans, 32 sélections), fait l’objet d’un bras de fer entre trois équipes de la NFL qui lui proposent environ 900 000 dollars par an pour s’engager dans leurs équipes d’entraînement d’été, selon RugbyPass.

Des stats impressionnantes

Rees-Zammit suit actuellement une formation accélérée de 10 semaines pour se préparer à jouer au football américain dans le cadre de l’IPP – l’International Player Pathway – un programme de détection des joueurs internationaux. Il a déjà reçu des offres avant que les recruteurs des 32 franchises de la NFL ne l’observent en action lors d’un Pro Day de la NFL.

Il a ainsi attiré l’attention sur lui à l’Université de Floride du Sud, réalisant un temps impressionnant de 4,44 secondes au sprint de 40 yards avant d’impressionner par ses techniques de jeu jambes lors de différents exercices.

Rees-Zammit pourrait être sélectionné pour jouer en tant que running back (pour ses qualités de course) ou wide receiver (pour ses qualités à la réception) ou même en tant que punt returner ou kick returner au terme de sa formation à la fin du mois.

Il n’aurait pas pu choisir un meilleur moment pour tenter de percer en Amérique car pour la première fois, les franchises de la NFL ont obtenu une place supplémentaire dans leurs équipes d’entraînement pour les joueurs issus de l’IPP.

« J’avais envie d’un nouveau défi »

« J’avais envie d’un nouveau défi, et quel meilleur défi que d’être dans la NFL ? », a expliqué Louis Rees-Zammit à CNN avant le Pro Day.

« Je m’entraîne très bien depuis sept ou huit semaines. Je pense que je suis en bonne position. Je me sens bien et je me sens en forme. Je veux juste montrer à tout le monde ce dont je suis capable.

« Ce n’est pas une question de lieu ou d’argent. Ce qui compte, c’est le projet que j’ai pour moi. Je veux faire partie d’une équipe qui a un projet. Je sais et ils savent que si nous suivons un bon plan, ils sauront où je vais aller à l’avenir. »

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Bien que son sprint de 40 yards de 4,44 secondes ne figure pas parmi les meilleurs temps enregistrés lors du combiné de cette année, il est plus rapide que la moyenne pour un running back ou un wide receiver de la promo de cette année, et plus rapide que Christian Wade, qui avait enregistré un dash de 4,53 secondes en 2019.

Une filière pour les non-américains

Lancé en 2017, l’IPP cherche à découvrir et à faire grandir des athlètes non américains, en leur offrant une opportunité unique de transition vers la NFL. Cette initiative a déjà connu un certain succès.

Quatre joueurs de rugby font partie de la promotion 2024. Outre Rees-Zammit, Harry Mallinder, Darragh Leader et George Smith ont tous pour objectif de se convertir au football américain.

Depuis sa création, 37 joueurs internationaux ont signé avec des équipes de la NFL – qu’ils aient été sélectionnés, repêchés ou qu’ils aient signé en individuel – et 18 athlètes de l’IPP sont actuellement inscrits sur les registres des franchises de la NFL.

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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