All 30 players plus their coaches and management team sang Ar Lan Y Mor at a Marei Maori welcome by the Ngatitoa community in Porirua City Leisure Centre.
The crowd which included ex patriot Welsh rugby fans cheered the team after they completed three verses of the folk song. The singing was in answer to a maori song at the marae.
The ceremony began with the traditional haka challenge after which Wales captain Sam Warburton had to pick up a small leaf left for him by the warrior who performed the challenge. By tradition the lifting of the leaf is a sign that the visitors come in peace and can then be welcomed to share food with the maori.
After the traditional haka, speeches and song, the senior IRB official and former England international captain Bill Beaumont called on the Wales squad players to be presented with their RWC 2011 caps.
He told them: ”The squad has been given a tremendous welcome by people who clearly have a love for rugby. It is truly an honour for these players to be in New Zealand to take part in this incredible competition.”
Wales Assistant Coach, Robin McBryde, replied:”The Welsh and the maori are similar nations which is why we have such affection for each other. We have been given a tremendous welcome and it has been a great boost for our players.”
The squad then ate a traditional hangi meal and watched choirs and dancers perform songs and haka dance routines.
Earlier more than 400 fans had turned up at the Wales team training ground in Porirua to watch the squad train. Players and coaches mingled at pitchside after the session for the fans to gather autographs and photographs.
Ex patriot Mrs Joanna Howard from Wales who now lives in Wellington said:”It is just fantastic for us to see the Welsh squad here at last.
“Rugby is so important to us as an ex patriot community so this opportunity to watch them train is really much appreciated.”
WalesCaptain Sam Warburton said:”We have been delighted by the welcome we have received in New Zealand.
“It has been an important boost for the players and will now help us focus on the job at hand of preparing for Saturday’s opening game.”
