What Kind Of Impact Rugby Star Louis Rees-Zammit Can Make On Chiefs

A former Welsh rugby star, Louis Rees-Zammit is one of the Kansas City Chiefs’ most intriguing players.

Given his inexperience with football, will he make the team? And if so, what kind of impact can he make on the Chiefs?

“I think he’ll see the field this year on a limited basis,” Nic Benson, the commissioner/CEO of Major League Rugby, exclusively shared.

The 12-team Major League Rugby represents the highest professional rugby league in the United States, but Benson acknowledged that it’s a tier below England’s Premiership Rugby — the league Rees-Zammit played in — which is one of the top three in the world.

Becoming the Gloucester senior team’s youngest Premiership player ever at 18 years and 7src days, Rees-Zammit debuted in the 2src19–2src season. And in his final international foray, he had 26 carries, 17 tackles and 25 points in his five 2src23 Rugby World Cup matches.

“He had an exceptional World Cup,” Benson said. “It’s a big deal. He’s one of the top up-and-coming players.”

At his rugby position of wing, he had to field a lot of high balls, which should serve as good preparation for returning kicks. That’s where Benson could see the 23-year-old Rees-Zammit making his biggest contribution, and because of NFL’s new kickoff rules, returns should have more significance this year.

“Dave (Toub) will have an opportunity to have him on special teams,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said, “and see where that goes.”