24 September 2023 , 07:00
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Wales star Louis Rees-Zammit is taking inspiration from Cristiano Ronaldo after emulating his celebration in last weekend's win over Portugal.
The home nation kept up their 100 percent record in the Rugby World Cup with a late bonus point try, albeit their performance was far from convincing. Rees-Zammit scored their opening try and continues to be a bright spark for Warren Gatland's outfit.
The Gloucester winger burst onto the scene several years ago and remains one of Wales' most potent attacking weapons. He scored in their opening win over Fiji but when crossing the whitewash last weekend made his affection for Ronaldo known as he copied his famous celebration.
He confessed: "Ronaldo is my favourite player. I wear his boxers and I dress like him. And I thought why not do his celebration as well."
Rees-Zammit admitted that several of his pals were keen for him to do it against the country for whom Ronaldo has played 201 times and scored on 123 occasions. "A few of my mates back home wanted me to do it. They're massive football fans and obviously we don't play Portugal very often," he added.
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"So I said if I scored, I'd do it for them. I saw there was no-one in backfield and I put a grubber through and thankfully I got the bounce."
The winger copied Cristiano Ronaldo's signature celebrationRees-Zammit was scored 11 tries in his 29 caps for Wales, who have struggled for the majority of his time in the international set-up. Gatland has bought renewed optimism following his return, despite the Welsh only winning one of their five Six Nations games earlier this year.
Two wins in their opening two games though has them well placed to make it out of their pool, but they are by no means assured of a spot in the last eight. They take on Australia this weekend, who lost to Fiji last time out. A win for Eddie Jones' side means every team in the pool will have suffered one defeat.
Rees-Zammit said on the challenge: "We know we've got a lot to learn and going up against Australia we've got to step up a gear again. Confidence is high with two wins. And when you don't get perfect wins there's always a lot to improve on and that's great."