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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Katie Sands

This is what Wales star Aaron Wainwright's try celebration was all about in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final against France

Aaron Wainwright got over the whitewash in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final against France to notch up his first Test try for Wales.

By virtue of it being his first try, fans and viewers won't have seen his try celebration before, which he had been saving up for the special occasion.

After pouncing on a loose ball and racing 48 metres to get over the line, the young Dragons star was congratulated by his teammates before celebrating by putting both hands to his head and simulating a stag's antlers.

And it's all down to his former club, Stags Sevens.

Back in 2016, Wainwright was one of five players to set up the sevens team, and still coaches them to this day.

Here's how Wainwright's try unfolded

Wainwright crafted his rugby at boyhood club Whiteheads RFC.

While Stags is separate, the founding members also played for Whiteheads together. The stag comes from the crest of Bassaleg School, and players who score while playing for the team can be found doing the same celebration.

Speaking after the game, Wainwright said: "I’ve got a sevens team back home called the Stags – that’s what the celebration was for.

"The boys who play for Whiteheads play for that sevens team too."

Asked how long he had been thinking about doing that celebration, he explained: "Ever since I set up my sevens team.

"That’s the reason behind it. I haven’t scored a try, so I’d been saving it so it was nice to celebrate and give something back to the boys at home."  

Stags 7s said: "Best 7s team in the world coached by the best 6 in the world!"

Wainwright put in a solid performance against France - being named player of the match - and was on the receiving end of a disgraceful elbow to the face by Sebastien Vahaamahina, for which he was given a red card in the second half.

But Wainwright recovered and appeared unperturbed in post-match media interviews, saying: "Body's a bit tired, it was a tough, physical game.

"Took a bit of an elbow to the face, but it's part of it. Just happy with the result and onto next week now."

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