Smiling Rees-Zammit has no fear of All Blacks

Key points

• Louis Rees-Zammit says he has regained confidence before Wales face New Zealand on Saturday.
• He was man of the match against Japan with a try, 121 metres and 13 defenders beaten.
• Wales have lost 34 straight games to the All Blacks since their 1953 win.

Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit says he has rediscovered his confidence ahead of facing New Zealand in the Nations Championship on Saturday at 14:10 GMT. Wales go into the game after an unconvincing 28-21 bonus-point win over Japan at Principality Stadium.

Rees-Zammit was named man of the match against Japan, scoring a try and making 12 carries for 121 metres while beating 13 defenders. He made more line breaks than in the whole of the Six Nations, when he started every game at full-back.

Confidence back on the wing

Rees-Zammit, in his second season since returning from two years trying to make it in the NFL, has scored five tries in five games for Bristol. He is second in the Prem for defenders beaten (28), fifth for metres gained (299) and third for clean breaks (12).

He said playing back on the wing has helped him feel he can create chances, help the team go forward and finish tries.

I am just playing with a smile on my face, playing with confidence and always thinking that I can beat defenders

— Louis Rees-Zammit

Williams impressed by display

Wales' record try scorer Shane Williams told the Scrum V podcast that Rees-Zammit looks bigger and sharper than he has for some time. Williams said he was encouraged by the performance against Japan but was unsure whether Rees-Zammit could push off All Blacks defenders the same way.

New Zealand beat Scotland 43-21 and have won 34 straight games against Wales since 1953. Rees-Zammit said Wales were in last year's meeting until around 60 minutes and called for the team to be brave and fearless with the ball.