Emails have flooded in with messages from well-wishers around the world, all of whom want to let the team know what a great job they did ‘down under’. Diane and Bob Ross, along with many others, are now backing Wales to win the tournament in 2007, with Justin Dyke saying it is no longer a case of IF Wales win, but WHEN they do. Serge Charles from France believes a “new marvellous team is born”, which Fiona (an Australian) agrees with – she feels that with “a bit more experience they will be unbeatable”. Fiona was then echoed by a Kiwi, Paul Shakespeare, who foresees that “this could be the team that restores the Red Dragons as our greatest foe”.
Tudor Price thinks that “a rugby nation was reborn today” and Carys Roberts is of the same opinion, believing “there’s new hope and life in Welsh rugby”. Many supporters put this down to the background work of Steve Hansen and the rest of the coaching and management team. Alun Lewis summed up this train of thought when he wrote:
“My thanks to Steve Hansen for putting into place the core skills and behaviours that coupled with the natural flair of our game have shown that we can again compete with the best”.
Ryan, Judith and Catrin Williams sent in their congratulations to “the HEROES of the World Cup” – a sentiment reiterated by John who wants to let the boys know that “as far as Wales is concerned you are all winners”.
The actions of the squad in Australia has inspired many of their supporters back in Wales: Sam Parker has just started to play rugby a school, and hopes that “one day I may be able to play for Wales as well as you all did”, while Carys Magor has decided a tattoo of the Welsh dragon is now the order of the day!
The highest praise however, has come in from Yvonne and Derek Smith who were fortunate enough to meet the team after watching the game. Yvonne emailed in and says the experience was both “A privilege and a pleasure… They are true ambassadors for both the sport and the country”.
