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Sonny Bill Williams posts emotional video message after deadly gun attack in Christchurch
All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams has led tributes to the victims of the horrific gun attacks on two mosques in Christchurch.
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Police now say 49 people have been killed and at least 20 seriously wounded in the attack which happened on Friday afternoon New Zealand-time.
Williams, who was the first Muslim to play for the All Blacks, posted an emotional video message on Twitter to the victims and their loved one’s.
“Just heard the news and I couldn’t put it into words how I’m feeling right now” he said.
“Just sending my duas [prayers] to the families, apparently there’s close to 30 people dead.
“Just sending out my duas to everyone that’s been killed today in Christchurch… you guys are all in paradise.
“I’m just deeply, deeply saddened that this would happen in New Zealand.”
My heart is hurting about the news coming out of Christchurch. Sending love & prayers to the effected families❤️😢 pic.twitter.com/7PX9wc56b8
— Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) March 15, 2019
A man in his late 20’s has been charged with murder, while three more people including an Australian national are in custody over the attack.
With the city in lockdown in the aftermath of the attack, All Blacks captain Kieran Read, who plays for the Christchurch-based Canterbury Crusaders, posted a picture on Instagram of an empty school hall, with the 33-year-old revealing he was waiting for his children.
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“Sending my thoughts to all victims today,” the Instagram story said. “Locked in the school hall waiting for the girls.”
The Crusaders meanwhile tweeted “our thoughts are with the families and friends, and also the strong and resilient people of Christchurch and Canterbury. #love”
https://twitter.com/crusadersrugby/status/1106418431966863360
The All Blacks also posted their support for the those affected “Christchurch, we stand with you during this time. Our thoughts and sympathies are with everyone affected by today’s tragedy. Stay strong. Kia Kaha. ?”
Christchurch, we stand with you during this time. Our thoughts and sympathies are with everyone affected by today's tragedy. Stay strong. Kia Kaha. 🖤
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) March 15, 2019
World Rugby also reacted to the horrific news, tweeting “Our thoughts go out to everyone in New Zealand following the attacks in Christchurch.”
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Our thoughts go out to everyone in New Zealand following the attacks in Christchurch.
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) March 15, 2019
Sir Bill Beaumont also added “Deeply saddened to hear of the tragic events in Christchurch. Our thoughts are with everyone in the city & NZ rugby community at this very difficult time.”
Deeply saddened to hear of the tragic events in Christchurch. Our thoughts are with everyone in the city & NZ rugby community at this very difficult time
— Sir Bill Beaumont (@BillBeaumont) March 15, 2019
In other news: The Rugby Pod aren’t too keen on the World league proposals
Comments on RugbyPass
Except for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
33 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
33 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
33 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
33 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
33 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
33 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
33 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to comments