Tonight's rugby news as Louis Rees-Zammit money revelation emerges and coach blown away

Wales Online

5 days ago

Tonight's rugby news as Louis Rees-Zammit money revelation emerges and coach blown away
The latest rugby news from Wales and beyond
Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit
(Image: PA Wire)
Your rugby evening headlines on Friday, August 15.
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Louis Rees-Zammit turned down big money
Louis Rees-Zammit turned down bigger money offers to join Bristol Bears, his new boss has revealed.
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Pat Lam says he was impressed by the Welshman's desire "to become the best back-three player in the world", insisting his wages are not what people likely expect them to be. The 24-year-old is believed to have earned around £225,000 a year when he was at Gloucester before deciding to leave and join the NFL, with his new salary likely to be similar.
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He is thought to have interest from some French clubs following his return to the sport, with wages for top players considerably higher in the Top 14.
"What I really enjoyed about the whole thing is that he could have gone anywhere for lots of money," Lam told BBC Radio.
"I know there was big money out there and I'd say our offer is nowhere near what people might think it is. What I liked about that is that left it purely on him to decide if he wanted money. He probably had four or five other offers that he could take.
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"But he wanted a good rugby programme and a style of rugby that gets him back into the game and gives him the best chance to play for Wales again, which is important to him... that was the main thing."
Director of rugby Lam jumped at the chance to sign the Wales speedster as a marquee player and insists Rees-Zammit has major goals.
"He wants to get back into rugby and be the best back-three player in the world, and I love that.
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"I just want to know what motivates players. Everyone thinks it's easy, you get paid to play a game we love. But ultimately I just want to know what gets guys out of bed to go and put their bodies on the line and do what we do.
"That dream is really important, when guys talk about 'I just want to be a better rugby player' it's probably not the one I'm looking for. I'm looking for guys with big dreams and he certainly has that."
Prior to his move Stateside, Rees-Zammit was one of the most prolific wingers in the world game - scoring 42 tries in 77 games for Gloucester and 14 in 32 Tests for Wales.
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Wallabies forced to make late change
Australia have been forced to make a late change to their matchday 23 ahead of their Rugby Championship opener.
Joe Schmidt's side will face the Springboks on Saturday and secure their first win over the South Africans since 2022. James O'Connor has been named to start at fly-half but is now the only fit out-and-out 10 in the entire squad.
Ben Donaldson was going to provide cover for O'Connor from the bench, but he has been withdrawn after picking up a niggle in training.
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Therefore, one-cap Tane Edmed has been introduced to the 23, and replaces Nick Champion de Crespigny in the replacements.
Tom Lynagh, who had featured heavily against the British and Irish Lions earlier in the summer, suffered a concussion during the series and has been ruled out of this game.
South Africa face Australia at Emirates Airlines Park at 4.10pm on Saturday, August 16.
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South Africa fail to sell out stadium
South Africa have surprisingly failed to sell out Ellis Park for their Rugby Championship opener against Australia, according to The South African.
Rassie Erasmus' Springboks are making their title defence this year after winning last year's edition for the first time since 2019, but there will not be a full house for their first game.
SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer claims that their crowd target has been met, despite not being full. The capacity for Ellis Park is 62,000, and for context, the Principality Stadium is almost 75,000.
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South African politician Gayton McKenzie is even doing a 2,000 ticket giveaway to encourage more fans to attend.
"We've hit our targets in terms of budgeting for the event," said Oberholzer.
"When we did our forecasts, we worked on an 85% capacity. We're well over that, and after the United Rugby Championship, we'll review our programme and how we drove it. If we've made any mistakes, we'll rectify them before the season starts next year."