Following the horrific attack on two mosques in Christchurch, NZ, in which as many as 49 were killed, All Blacks star Sonny Bill Wiliams made his thoughts known.

The attacker targeted Muslims at Friday prayer in their place of worship, and Williams, who converted to Islam in 2009, spoke out.

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

The tweet from Williams has been retweeted over 38,000 times with well over a thousand replies. One said:

We in the US will go with our children for Friday prayers 2morrow  InshaAllah.  We are not afraid of these cowards, we do not fear death. Allah Almighty gives us life or death. Inanilahe wainailehe rajeoun. We belong to HIM & to HIM we return.

Meanwhile, the game went on that night, and the Chiefs and the Hurricanes met at the middle of the field for a moment of silence, together. Canterbury's own Crusaders play on Sunday.

It goes without saying that rugby is a sport that cares not at all what your religion is; we all play together as one. For many, seeing this happen in such a peaceful nation as New Zealand has been an added shock. Unfortunately, hate can reside anywhere, which is why