Louis Rees-Zammit p***es off American Football fans with comments
Rugby NewsThursday, 22 January 2026 at 20:43
Louis Rees-Zammit has spoken more openly than ever about his brief time in the NFL—and why being back in rugby union makes him feel freer, happier, and yes… a bit more battered.
On the
Under the Surface podcast, the Wales wing discussed a positional call that didn’t go his way in the NFL and reflected on the difference in physicality between the two sports.
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“They’re both very physical,” he said. “You obviously have pads in one sport and non-pads in the other, but that kind of allows you to probably hit harder because you’re kind of all protected.”
That protection, Rees-Zammit explained, changes the nature of contact. Despite the size and speed of NFL players, rugby is the code that leaves him feeling more sore.
“But I feel a lot more sore after a rugby game,” he admitted.
He was quick to clarify that his NFL experience was limited.
“I only played three preseason games,” he said. “There might be better people to ask about this, but I feel so sore after rugby. We don’t wear pads or anything, so I can’t really compare. But yeah, they’re both very physical sports.”
Unsurprisingly, some NFL fans took exception to the comparison. Comments included:
- “Did he even play an American football match? He didn’t make it.”
- “Bitter much. He couldn’t make it over here.”
For Rees-Zammit, though, there are no regrets. His time in America gave him clarity, letting him focus fully on rugby without lingering “what-ifs.”
“Since I have done it, even though it didn’t work out, it was a weight off my shoulders,” he said.
“Now I can just fully go into rugby and give it my all. I don’t need to think about anything else. These times now are really enjoyable for me because it feels like me playing as a kid—just going out there every day in training and in the games and loving it. The last few months since I’ve been back have probably been some of my favourite times of my life.”
“Now I can just fully go into rugby and give it my all. I don’t need to think about anything else. These times now are really enjoyable for me because it feels like me playing as a kid—just going out there every day in training and in the games and loving it. The last few months since I’ve been back have probably been some of my favourite times of my life.”
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Fastest Rugby Players in the World 2025 (Ranked 10–1)
Speed continues to be a game-changer in rugby, and in 2025, these players are leading the charge.
From electrifying wingers to dynamic backs, here’s a look at the top 10 fastest rugby players in the world today.
10. Kurt-Lee Arendse (South Africa)
Top Speed: ~10.7 m/s (24 mph)
Arendse's explosive acceleration and agility make him a formidable presence on the wing, consistently breaking through defenses.
Arendse's explosive acceleration and agility make him a formidable presence on the wing, consistently breaking through defenses.
9. Damien Penaud (France)
Top Speed: ~10.7 m/s (24 mph)
Penaud combines speed with sharp footwork, turning even small gaps in the defense into scoring opportunities.
Penaud combines speed with sharp footwork, turning even small gaps in the defense into scoring opportunities.
8. Grant Williams (South Africa)
Top Speed: 10.2–10.7 m/s (22.8–24 mph)
Williams' pace puts him among the fastest rugby players in South Africa, making him a threat on the counter-attack.
Williams' pace puts him among the fastest rugby players in South Africa, making him a threat on the counter-attack.
7. Rieko Ioane (New Zealand)
Top Speed: ~10.7 m/s (24 mph)
Ioane's versatility allows him to exploit spaces with his rapid bursts, whether on the wing or at centre.
Ioane's versatility allows him to exploit spaces with his rapid bursts, whether on the wing or at centre.
6. Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)
Top Speed: 24.2 mph (39 km/h)
Rees-Zammit's acceleration and top-end speed make him a constant threat in open play.
Rees-Zammit's acceleration and top-end speed make him a constant threat in open play.
5. Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
Top Speed: 10.7 seconds per 100m
Kolbe's agility and footwork, combined with speed, make him one of rugby's most elusive wingers.
Kolbe's agility and footwork, combined with speed, make him one of rugby's most elusive wingers.
4. Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)
Top Speed: 37.8 km/h (23.5 mph)
Bielle-Biarrey's rapid acceleration and instinctive running lines highlight him as a rising star.
Bielle-Biarrey's rapid acceleration and instinctive running lines highlight him as a rising star.
3. Will Jordan (New Zealand)
Top Speed: ~10.7 m/s (24 mph)
Jordan's combination of speed and timing allows him to exploit defensive gaps and finish scoring opportunities with precision.
Jordan's combination of speed and timing allows him to exploit defensive gaps and finish scoring opportunities with precision.
2. Henry Arundell (England)
Top Speed: 11.5 m/s (25.7 mph)
Arundell's blistering pace and try-scoring ability make him one of the top fastest rugby players in England.
Arundell's blistering pace and try-scoring ability make him one of the top fastest rugby players in England.
1. Adam Radwan (England)
Top Speed: Tops GPS charts for current XVs players
Radwan's raw speed, agility, and finishing ability make him arguably the fastest rugby player in the world today.
Radwan's raw speed, agility, and finishing ability make him arguably the fastest rugby player in the world today.
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