Six months after deciding to end his spell chasing an NFL dream, Rees-Zammit has only won once in a Wales shirt in five apperanaces – the narrow 24-23 victory over Japan back in November.
The rest of his time has been a struggle to impose himself, and maybe a shake of the head at how the steep the decline while he was away.
He may have hit the ground running with Bristol, but his Wales appearances have mostly been a one-man bid to inject pace and energy into a fragile team, whilst also trying to adapt to being an international full-back, rather than a wing.
The former Gloucester player won 17 of his first 32 international games before moving to America but has returned to a very different situation.
Yet ahead of Wales’ Guinness Six Nations clash with Scotland at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, Rees-Zammit has been reflective but resolute.
Wales have lost heavily to England and France, confidence outside the camp is on the floor, and yet the 23-year-old insists his decision to return from American football and pull on the red jersey was not a wrong career move.
“No, no regrets. It was an amazing experience over there, but, I kind of missed playing rugby and playing for my country,” he says.
“I'm loving it being back in camp and being around the boys again, you know, and getting stuck back into a Six Nations.”
That sense of belonging — and responsibility — is driving Rees-Zammit as Wales search for signs of momentum in round three.
Despite conceding heavily in the opening two fixtures, he believes there are foundations worth building on, particularly after last weekend’s defeat to France.
“We see improvement. I think we've got to take confidence out of that. The little wins within the match – I think we can really build on heading into this week.
“We’ve got to keep the mood high. Obviously, it's been two tough weeks, but the second you kind of put your head down, it kind of crumbles. So I think everyone's kind of heads held high. We’ve got a job to do again this weekend.”
Rees-Zammit’s return to Welsh rugby has coincided with a new role. Previously devastating on the wing, he has instead been deployed at full-back, a position he says is allowing him to influence games in different ways.
“I’m really enjoying it actually. There's probably a lot more running than club rugby. But it allows me that freedom to roam around the ball and create transition off kicks and all of that kind of stuff. So, yeah, I'm really enjoying the full-back position.
“It's obviously more demanding than what I was used to on the wing and at club level. But I'm enjoying it.
“Whenever I can pull on that Welsh jersey, it means so much to me whether that's on the wing or at fullback, I'm trying to do as much as I can to help the team.”
For Rees-Zammit, the bigger picture extends beyond Saturday. He sees the current struggles as part of a longer rebuild — one that demands patience from players and supporters alike.
“Yeah, for sure. It’s obviously been a tough couple years for Welsh rugby, but we're trying to do everything we can to get fans off their chairs and play exciting rugby.
"Obviously, it doesn't happen overnight. We're working really hard behind the scenes to make that work. It will come.”
“We’re trying our hardest. It’s a process. We’ve got new coaching staff, a new group of players. I think it will come. It's just about timing, and we're trying everything we can behind the scenes to make this work. It's going to be the little wins that are important to build on.”
Scotland’s visit represents another stern examination.
Rees-Zammit knows from experience how demanding this fixture can be but he also has good memories of a brilliant two-try display against the Scots at Murrayfield in 2021.
“I've obviously had that scoring game at Murrayfield. I've played at home in the Six Nations against Scotland as well. It's always a tough game.
“We're going to try and do everything we can behind the scenes to put in a good performance this weekend and just make the fans proud to be honest with you.”
That pride, he says, is central to the messaging inside camp.
“I think that's that's one big message that we're trying to emphasise this week – play a brand of rugby that the fans are going to be proud of. We’re going to continue to try and do that behind the scenes, and then put it onto a onto a field for a full 80 minutes this weekend.”
Despite the pressure, Rees-Zammit insists his love for representing Wales has not dimmed.
“I absolutely love it. It's probably my biggest achievement ever - playing for my country, and having this honour to be around camp every day and be around my teammates… It means everything to us as players.”
But for the tide to turn – and for a first win in the Six Nations since since Rees-Zammit left, there are clear tactical lessons, too, particularly in defence after France exploited width and space.
“Yeah, for sure… We weren't trusting each other to get wide enough and then be able to get some line speed. That's something we're definitely going to fix this week.”
With Scotland also keen to stretch defences, Rees-Zammit knows improvements must be immediate.
“They're pretty similar. Obviously, Jalibert and Finn Russell are pretty similar players in terms of wanting to stretch the game. It's going to be very important this weekend.”
For all the scrutiny surrounding Wales, Rees-Zammit remains convinced brighter days lie ahead — and that his return to rugby union was the right call.
“We're all working really hard, you know, staff and players, because, you know, there's no one that wants it more than us to turn this around… we’re looking forward to Saturday.”
In a rebuilding Wales side short on certainty, Rees-Zammit’s conviction may yet prove one of their most valuable assets.
