The mayor of the city of Nagoya declared his love for the Georgian national team at an official Rugby World Cup welcoming event, as the Lelos step up their preparations for the competition set to kick off on Friday.
Takashi Kawamura, the city's principal official, was speaking at the formal ceremony when he admitted to being enamoured with head coach Milton Haig's squad that had arrived in his city for the tournament.
In a demonstration of his affection the mayor borrowed the line "Wise men say only fools rush in / But I can't help falling in love with you" from a popular song by Elvis Presley, substituting the last word for "the team of Georgia".
"I can't help falling in love...with the team of Georgia!". The Mayor of Nagoya with one of the great welcome speeches ever ???????????? #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/EewYpTSZZm
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 19, 2019
The mayor also told the Georgian players to "enjoy Nagoya", with his vocal rendition of the line from the song receiving an applause from the team.
The mutual appreciation came at the event where the Lelos received their symbolic caps signifying participation in the World Cup. They also signed autographs for their Japanese fans in the ceremony that followed the team's training on Wednesday.
At the welcoming event team centre Merab Sharikadze thanked the local public and officials and outlined the team's perspective on their tournament goals in an interview.
Sharikadze, who has 63 apparances for the national team, is doubtful for the opening game against Wales on Monday after picking up an injury against Southern Kings in Georgia's capital Tbilisi last month.
Players of the Georgian squad signed autographs for their welcoming fans in Nagoya. Photo: Georgian Rugby.
In positive news for the Lelos, their legendary captain Mamuka Gorgodze is with the squad after breaking his international retirement to rejoin the team and alleviate their injury problems for the World Cup.
For the Georgian team, the match against Wales will be followed by fixtures against Uruguay and Fiji on September 29 and October 3 respectively. They will face Australia on October 11 in their concluding game of the pool stage.
Full fixtures of the Rugby World Cup can be viewed on the tournament's official website.