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'It's going to set off a chain reaction': Rees-Zammit's NFL move
By Josh Raisey
Louis Rees-Zammit's well-renowned move to the NFL's International Player Pathway in January will set off a "chain reaction", according to South Africa fly-half Handre Pollard, who says such a move is not for him.
The former Gloucester and Wales winger confirmed his move to the IPP in January, a matter of minutes before Warren Gatland was set to name his Wales squad for the Guinness Six Nations.
Other players have pursued this path before, but the 23-year-old is undoubtedly the most high-profile player to do so. As a result, the double World Cup winning Springbok thinks other rugby players will follow the Welshman's route.
Rees-Zammit was not the only former rugby player to make this move last month, as he has also been joined by former Northampton Saints and England U20 back Harry Mallinder, who is trying out as a kicker or punter.
Mallinder's role would be the one that would suit Pollard, who kicked the match-winning penalty in the World Cup semi-final against England last year before kicking all twelve points the week later against the All Blacks in the final.
However, speaking to Jim Hamilton on RugbyPass TV's The Big Jim Show, the 29-year-old said a move to the NFL does not appeal to him, saying "rugby's too fun".
"I enjoy the NFL, I watch quite a bit, but I've never thought of that," Pollard said when asked about trying out to become an NFL player.
"But for a guy like [Rees-Zammit] to leave, it's big. I think it's going to set off a chain reaction with a couple of guys.
"RG Snyman as a tight end, imagine that? If someone wants to go and try it, go for it, enjoy it, but I don't think it's not for me.
When asked whether he would be interested in becoming a kicker, following in the footsteps of fellow Springbok Naas Botha, Pollard said: "I get that, that's appealing, but rugby's too fun. I enjoy it. Even though it's cold in the winter down here in Leicester, running out at Welford Road with your guys together, blood, sweat and tears, I just love that and there's nothing else for me to be honest."
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Latest Comments
That is not what is selected.
Go to commentsABs by 4……
IF
The Razor gang has given the AB’s a game plan A, B, C & etc (unlike so many AB games since 2016). &
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AB’s play 80+ minutes. &
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ABs do their individual & team jobs error free (‘ish) (unlike so many AB team since 2016). &
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All the ‘critical V Ireland’ AB form mobile forwards stay on field for the 80min S.Barrett, Sititi, Savea, and Vaa’i swap with Cane when he tires & Tuipulotu comes on. Finau back up. &
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The 10's get a better ‘cunning game plan’ than BB, ie his kicky, kicky, kicky, kicky, kicky, kicky, kicky, ETC! (& MacK does have a better game plan). &
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Aumua can throw to lineouts . &
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The AB’s can remember their lineout calls (unlike too many V England games 1, 2 & 3). &
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Williams can be coached to stop being sucked into experienced tactics to drop him to the ground. &
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The AB coaches, teach all ABs some ‘soccer like’ drama queen fouling acting skills to make clear to the ref 1 of the most common Irish tactics ie obstruction by ‘stray’ decoy attackers around contact zone (tackle, ruck, maul). &
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The ABs have their arm out away if not tackling any, again, decoy attackers (or defenders) that run into them to try milk penalties as England did (eg penalty against Cane the worst). &
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S.Barrett can change & captain with assertiveness & presence to even be noticed by the ref (way to passive). &
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There's no food poisoning.
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