Gold Coast youngster elated to join Welsh teammates

Josh Ralph is delighted to have linked up with his Wales teammates ahead of Rugby League World Cup 2017.

WAL

After beginning the 2017 season with Newcastle Knights' U20s, Ralph moved back home midway through the campaign to play for Queensland Cup outfit Tweed Head Seagulls.

The 20-year-old, who lives on the Gold Coast and qualifies to play for Wales through his grandmother, met the squad at the team hotel in Brisbane on arrival on Thursday.

"It's pretty good to put faces to names," Ralph said.

"I've been talking for a few years now to the staff.

"It's good to finally be here and get to see all of the boys.

"I'm very overwhelmed and humbled to be here with everyone and, obviously, to play for Wales and the badge means a lot to me, so it's good to be here."

"For my family, it's a really big thing for them and it's an honour.

"The first day was good.

"I didn't actually know anyone, but I got in and the boys have made me feel really welcome.

"It's good to get to know them. They've told me a bit about their culture and I've told them a bit about mine."

Living in a rugby league hotbed, Rugby League World Cup 2017 has been on his mind for a while.

"There's been heaps of talk about the World Cup and heaps of advertisement," he said.

"When you're driving around, you see big banners for the World Cup.

"Rugby league is massive here so the World Cup is going to be exactly that."

Wales Rugby League | @WalesRugbyL
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