Former captain Ryan Jones believes the Wales team have been awarded“a massive lift“ ahead of the Rugby World Cup, after 15,000 people queued to see their receptive training session in Kitakyushu.
Wales came in the arena where they are training from locals to some rendition of the Welsh national anthem, also are located at the southern Japanese town, which will not host any matches during the tournament.
Warren Gatland’s team get their tournament and Grand Slam winner Jones claims will reward the players.
„I’ve never experienced anything like this in my career. It is astonishing and it has been really emotional,“ said Jones, who played for Wales in 2004-2014.
„It’s been hosting a celebration. We got up and we said’oh, I hope it goes well and people will develop‘.
„Then to find the temptations and then to see the players‘ faces when they came out, it was just magic.
„It has exceeded our expectations. It’s great since the guys are one week from our very first game, and to get an experience such as this makes it home how beautiful an event it really is.
„It will give the players a huge lift. The dream was to turn the city reddish and we have done that.“
Jones, who helped construct connections between the Welsh Rugby Union and Kitakyushu, added:“If you look back on things in your career, setting this was magnificent.
„Seeing the players when they arrived at the welcome party the other night, and watching their faces , they didn’t understand it.
„They’ve not seen anything like this and they will remember it forever. I understand we’ll be back and long may it continue.“
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