Sonny Bill-Williams (SBW) in moving tribute to victims of Christchurch shooting.
SBW is one of New Zealand's most famous rugby players and that sport is dominant in New Zealand. He also once played for the Crusaders, a Christchurch based team, who happen to be widely recognised as the planet's strongest rugby franchise.
The man was born and raised in Auckland before moving to Australia in his late-teens to become a star of Rugby League. He converted to Rugby Union in his mid-twenties and became one of the best players in that sport too. He is a veteran now but will be remembered as maybe the best off-loader (to pass while being tackled) who has ever played either sport. He is a big powerful guy who also has balletic agility and the handling skills of an elite basketball player. A remarkable sporting career has also included several bouts as a high-level amateur boxer.
SBW converted to Islam as an adult while playing Rugby Union in France. He is still practising and is thus-far the only Muslim to have ever played for the All Blacks. Here is his moving tribute. It's an authentic and instant reaction as he struggles to hold it together, which makes it hard to watch:
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPWdrPOmn0Y]
SBW in action, which is easy to watch:
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onwNmdtIyHk]
The man was born and raised in Auckland before moving to Australia in his late-teens to become a star of Rugby League. He converted to Rugby Union in his mid-twenties and became one of the best players in that sport too. He is a veteran now but will be remembered as maybe the best off-loader (to pass while being tackled) who has ever played either sport. He is a big powerful guy who also has balletic agility and the handling skills of an elite basketball player. A remarkable sporting career has also included several bouts as a high-level amateur boxer.
SBW converted to Islam as an adult while playing Rugby Union in France. He is still practising and is thus-far the only Muslim to have ever played for the All Blacks. Here is his moving tribute. It's an authentic and instant reaction as he struggles to hold it together, which makes it hard to watch:
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPWdrPOmn0Y]
SBW in action, which is easy to watch:
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onwNmdtIyHk]