
It isn’t only Australia and New Zealand who will have thousands of fans supporting them at the Rugby World Cup final on Saturday.
There was a delighted reaction when it was confirmed in Monday that Welsh referee Nigel Owens would be taking charge of the tournament decider.
[raw]
[/raw]It's official! 🏉🏆🏉 @Nigelrefowens will referee the #RWC2015 Final! pic.twitter.com/CiC3MYVf0J
— BBC Wales (@BBCWales) October 26, 2015
[raw]
[/raw]Truly humbled and honoured to be given the privilege of refereeing #RWC2015 final. Thanks for all your kind messages and tweets. Means a lot
— Nigel Owens (@Nigelrefowens) October 26, 2015
But it looks like his hometown, the village of mynyddcerrig in Llanelli, is proudest of all.
Owens admitted to welling up when he saw picture of a street banner put up in his honour.
[raw]
[/raw]Had a tear to my eye seeing this. People of Mynyddcerrig my home village you make me so proud of where I am from. pic.twitter.com/c41f2HWkhd
— Nigel Owens (@Nigelrefowens) October 29, 2015
His neighbours are just the start of the many who will be cheering on the likeable referee on Saturday.
[raw]
[/raw]@Nigelrefowens Nige the whole nation is behind you! #BestRefInTheWorld
— Becster (@becsterdotcom) October 29, 2015
[raw]
[/raw]@Nigelrefowens da iawn ti Nigel! Pob dymuniad gorau i ti ar gyfer dydd Sadwrn a'r dyfodol.
— Gwil Roberts (@GwilR) October 29, 2015
Google translate: Well done Nigel! We wish you all the best for Saturday and future.
[raw]
[/raw]@Nigelrefowens well deserved Sir. Looking forward to you having a chat with McCaw "Now then, Richard..."
— Peter Counsell (@CounsellPeter) October 29, 2015
[raw]
[/raw]@Nigelrefowens The World Cup final should be refereed by the best referee in the world. And it will be. Good luck for it.
— Chris Crampton (@BlueEarthMngmnt) October 29, 2015
[raw]
[/raw]Congratulations @Nigelrefowens on your appointment to referee #RWC2015 final. Well deserved! 🏉👏🏻
— Sam Warburton (@samwarburton_) October 26, 2015