Rugby World Cup 2019 | Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones’ emotional interview

Inspirational Welsh skipper Alun Wyn Jones has revealed the devastation on his face after another World Cup heartbreak.

Wyn Jones had to look away so as not to let his emotions out.

Wales have fallen short once again after a third World Cup semi-final campaign ended with heartbreak at the hands of South Africa, losing 19-16.

Wales are well versed at devastating losses with a 9-8 loss in the 2011 semi-final, despite being a man down for most 61 minutes of the game, while a last gasp try against South Africa in 2015 ended their campaign at the quarterfinal stage.

Yet another nailbiting loss left Six Nations champions devastated — but none more so than inspirational skipper Alun Wyn Jones.

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While it was tough and a war of attrition, fans were quick to slam the match.

But it didn’t make the loss hurt any less for the Welsh side.

Straight after the match in an on-field interview, the Clearly distraught Welsh captain was asked about the team’s fight and how proud he was to wear the jersey.

Wyn Jones had to look away from the camera and compose himself with the result still painfully raw for the 13-year veteran.

“Today we fell short but hopefully we get another opportunity,” he said. “Like I said, it wasn’t our day but like I say, I’m still proud to pull this jersey on and represent all the people in red in the stadium.”

🗣 "It wasn't our day but I'm still proud to pull this jersey on and represent all the people in red in the stadium."@WelshRugbyUnion captain Alun Wyn Jones reflects on his nation's defeat to South Africa in the #RWC2019 semi-final 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿#WALvRSA #WebbEllisCup pic.twitter.com/iYLGjHWDxV

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 27, 2019

Wyn Jones later told the press conference the side was gutted.

“My face tells the story I think,” he said. “We’re hurting and disappointed but we still have an opportunity to make a bit of history. There’s no real consolation in anything.

“We have to move on to the next opportunity to put on this red jersey that means so much.”

It was tough to take for Wyn Jones.

Wyn Jones is a Welsh rugby legend and is the most capped player in the nation’s history, a record he passed with his 130th game in the pool matches against the Wallabies and is the world’s most capped lock.

But the 34-year-old will continue after the World Cup, extending his career at least until 2021 with the national team.

Still fans were feeling for the skipper after another deep run in the competition wasn’t able to yield a trophy.

A proper kick to the guts. Your heart breaks for Alun Wyn Jones, but you don’t always get what you deserve. The World Cup final next Saturday will be England V South Africa @ITVRugby

— Nick Mullins (@andNickMullins) October 27, 2019

Gutted for Wales and for Alun Wyn Jones in particular 😥 brutal game.#WALvRSA

— Faye Carruthers (@FayeCarruthers) October 27, 2019

Sir Alun Wyn Jones 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

— Natasha harding (@tashharding09) October 27, 2019

So the dream final isn’t happening. @AlunWynJones and Warren Gatland very gracious in defeat talking to the media but they could have won it! So close. @WelshRugbyUnion #WALvSAF pic.twitter.com/amPDAooc8p

— Jonathan Swain (@SwainITV) October 27, 2019

The loss was hard to take for the Welsh with coach Justin Gatland set to return to his native New Zealand to coach the Chiefs in Super Rugby, as well as maintaining his role as the coach of the British and Irish Lions.

Ahead of his last match in charge of the Welsh team, Gatland said both Wales and the All Blacks would be feeling their losses.

“We might have to give some players a rest because there is only a five-day turnaround,” he said.

“The All Blacks are probably hurting as much as we are. The third and fourth playoff is a tough game to play but you have to give it the respect it deserves.

“It will be hugely monumental, it’s the team I haven’t beaten with Wales so it will be nice to be able to achieve that.”

It’s tough to lose that late in a tournament.

Wales are currently on a 30-game losing streak to New Zealand dating back to 1953.

Former Wales flanker Martyn Williams speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live said he thought Wales still had a bright future.

“I think Wales have a group of players there,” he said. “I can’t see anyone retiring, not Alun Wyn Jones — I think he’ll want to go to a fourth Lions tour — but it’s not as if it’s the end of an era. There’s another World Cup in most of these players.

“Wayne Pivac (the next Wales coach) has done a fantastic job down at Scarlets. He’s been around, he’s experienced, a lot of the team’s still staying. The back team staff are staying on board.”

Wales will play New Zealand for third place on Friday night.

Originally published as Rugby World Cup 2019 | Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones’ emotional interview