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Louis Rees-Zammit (file pic). PA

Wales boss Pivac applauds ‘exciting’ 20-year-old wing Rees-Zammit after Scotland win

The Gloucester man was the hero with two tries in a stunning performance.

WALES BOSS WAYNE Pivac hailed a stunning performance by Louis Rees-Zammit after the Gloucester wing’s try double secured a thrilling 25-24 Guinness Six Nations victory over Scotland.

Scotland were looking to build on last week’s historic Twickenham win over England and got off to the perfect start at Murrayfield with tries from Darcy Graham and Stuart Hogg.

But their hopes were wrecked when Zander Fagerson was sent off for a dangerous clear-out in the second-half, and Wales ruthlessly exploited their numerical advantage.

Rees-Zammit, making only a second Six Nations appearance, followed up his touchdown against Ireland last weekend with two more, including a brilliant individual effort from just inside Scotland’s half.

Assessing the 20-year-old’s display, Pivac said: “He was exciting with the ball, wasn’t he? He took his opportunities very well.

“He has still got work to do on his game, without the ball, and that is the exciting thing. He is going to be a very exciting player for us, going forward.

“He has got confidence with the ball in hand, he has got the pace, and you can’t coach that. He is very, very quick.”

Rees-Zammit touched down just before half-time to keep Wales in the contest, and his second try – after Liam Williams and Wyn Jones had also scored – confirmed a bonus-point win and a first away victory of Pivac’s 12-Test reign.

Pivac was without a quarter of his original 36-man Six Nations squad due to injuries or suspension, and he added: “It was a great result for our team, our squad.

“We had to go deep into the squad in certain positions with the injuries we’ve had. It bodes well for the future.

“Everybody put their hand up when they needed to. The atmosphere in the group, the environment in training is a very good one.

“I think it was evident to everyone there that it wasn’t the complete performance. It’s only round two of the tournament and we would expect to be improving every time we take the field.”

England are next up for unbeaten Wales later this month, and Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones said: “First things first, you know how quickly this game moves on, so we need to make sure the recovery is right.

“We are aware they (England) had a good win today and are back on track. We will be back at the Principality Stadium, so we will regroup and improve on the parts we need to improve on after today.”

Fagerson was dismissed for a shoulder-led challenge into Wales prop Wyn Jones at a ruck, which left Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend in reflective mood.

“I didn’t think they (officials) had much of a discussion and I didn’t think they showed enough of the angles,” Townsend said.

“They showed one slow motion angle to begin with, then took ages to find another one.

“The TMO (television match official) did say that, because of the player’s late movement, you should make sure there is no mitigation there, but I thought the whole process could have been much better.

“It is obviously very serious when someone gets a red card and it just felt that there wasn’t the right angles or a proper discussion. There was a discussion between the team of three when they were waiting for the angles and they seemed to make their mind up then.

“We get on with whatever decision the referee has made and there is nothing we can do about it now.

“I really believed that we could still win. The effort and the skill the players showed in that last 10 minutes was outstanding.”

Two-try Scotland skipper Hogg said: “We stuck at it and played right to the very last second. On another day we would probably win that game.

“For long periods of the game we were very much in control. We were playing in the right areas and causing Wales problems.

“We are very much focused on playing against France in a couple of weeks now. I fully believe we can go across to France and win.”

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    Mute Rudiger McMonihan
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    Dec 21st 2016, 1:49 PM

    Aldo’s loves talkin nonsense. Im 100% the next fight will be vs Halloway. Aldo prob holds the record in most pull outs and is p4p the biggest moaner in the UFC

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    Mute Joseph Sample
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    Dec 21st 2016, 2:25 PM

    Ariel Helwani tweeted that he fact checked everything Aldo said about UFC208 and the LW title shot in March after the interview and its 100% accurate.

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    Mute Brian
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    Dec 21st 2016, 1:44 PM

    At this stage the way everything is going in the UFC, why not. Probably Ferguson (if Khabib ducked Jose) and then McGregor II. Aldo to be the only man to get knocked out by the same man in 2 different weight class title fights? The interim title, if used properly, could be even better than the unfortunate “Number 1 contender” spot for the fighters, at least you have some guarantee you’ll get a title shot if you’re parading around with a belt.

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    Mute Breandán Ó hEidhin
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    Dec 21st 2016, 4:51 PM

    What is it Conor says? “Losers focus on winners”

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    Mute Brian
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    Dec 21st 2016, 5:18 PM

    I’m fairly sure hundreds of people said that before Conor.

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    Mute Aaron Gibson
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    Dec 21st 2016, 6:03 PM

    Yes. People have said words before.

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    Mute David Hickey
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    Dec 21st 2016, 6:29 PM

    Yea Brian, and people said “I’ll be back” before The Terminator did. Just because others have said a term doesn’t mean someone else can’t utter the phrase.

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    Mute Conor Cahill
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    Dec 21st 2016, 7:13 PM

    @Brian: Unfortunately Brian, Conor just tells it better. Because everyone can see it happening.

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    Mute Brian
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    Dec 21st 2016, 8:38 PM

    Well David the point wasn’t that nobody else can utter the phrase, the point was it wasn’t Conor who coined it. It was also recently made famous by LeBron James so if anything it’s his before Conors. I know the first comment went over your heard do I expect this one too.

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    Mute Brian
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    Dec 21st 2016, 8:38 PM

    *head

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    Mute ManUtdMan
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    Dec 21st 2016, 5:18 PM

    Aldo is now chasing Conor to save face. I never respected him when he was champ as he backed out of too many fights when the opponent was willing & ready. Many got beaten by a replacement never to be heard of again it’s how Pettis got to where is now… http://m.fightland.vice.com/blog/jose-aldo-a-history-of-pulling-out-of-title-fights. Conor should let him waste away after how he has gone on. Spoilt little runt

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    Mute Colin Foley
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    Dec 21st 2016, 2:13 PM

    Think Holloway beat Aldo, and McGregor for that matter. Most improved fighter in the UFC, savage he is.

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    DL
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    Mute DL
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    Dec 21st 2016, 2:44 PM

    @Colin Foley: I disagree, I reckon Aldo would have his number. Holloway has looked great against the lower tier but Edgar, Mendes, Aldo and McGregor are at a different level to the fellas he’s beaten. Pettis is a decent enough win but the tough weight cut could’ve had a big impact on Pettis’ performance.

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    Mute Breandán Ó hEidhin
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    Dec 21st 2016, 4:47 PM

    @DL: The lower tier??? Delusional!!! Holloway has basically cleared out that division bar Conor. Holloway would light Aldo up. His striking is on another level to Aldo

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Dec 21st 2016, 5:23 PM

    Mendes still the best on the ground for me and a match for anyone, would love to see a rematch between a properly prepped Mendes and McGregor

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    DL
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    Mute DL
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    Dec 21st 2016, 5:24 PM

    @Breandán Ó hEidhin: Yes, the lower tier. Edgar, Mendes, McGregor and Aldo are the elite of the division and he hasn’t beaten any of them. You’re the delusional one if you think Holloway’s striking is on another level to Aldo’s. Aldo has brilliant jiu jitsu and yet we never see it because of how good his striking is.

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    Mute Patrick Kennedy
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    Dec 21st 2016, 6:40 PM

    Simon basically they’re gunning for a huge Aldo v McGregor fight next year for both belts. Simples.

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    Mute Jude Flynn
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    Dec 22nd 2016, 1:02 PM

    Such a farcical organisation. How did it make sense to give Also the belt without him having to fight somebody for it? Making it up as they go along

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