Rugby sensation Sonny Bill Williams lost friends in the Christchurch mosques massacre, MailOnline can reveal.
The All Blacks star regularly prayed at the Al Noor Mosque, the scene of the worst of last week's atrocity, when he played for Canterbury and the Crusaders.
Devout Muslim Sonny Bill knew several people those who were killed and injured in the devastating attack during Friday prayers.
Rugby sensation Sonny Bill Williams (pictured) lost friends in the Christchurch mosques massacre
The All Blacks star regularly prayed at the Al Noor Mosque, the scene of the worst of last week's atrocity, when he played for Canterbury and the Crusaders
The New Zealand rugby star (pictured with wife Alana Raffie) attended at the Al Noor Mosque, the scene of the worst of last week's atrocity, when he played for Canterbury and the Crusaders
'Sonny Bill lost friends at the Al Noor Mosque last Friday,' a friend told MailOnline.
'That was where he used to go when he lived in Christchurch.
'He prayed there regularly and got to know a lot of people.
'Sadly, some of those people were killed and injured in the massacre.'
The sportsman remained in touch with several families who went to the mosque – the biggest in the Christchurch – when he left the South Island to continue his career with the Auckland Blues.
His close connection to the Al Noor Mosque helps to explain why the New Zealand sporting hero pulled out of a crucial match to help and show his support to Christchurch's Muslim community.
Earlier this week the Auckland Blues captain announced will not lead his team against the Highlanders in their crucial Super Rugby clash tomorrow [Friday].
Instead the 33-year-old will lead a fundraising driver in Christchurch to raise money for the friends and family of the victims of the brutal attack.
Sonny Bill will visit friends and other survivors who are being treated for gun-shot injuries in hospital.
Mourners leave the cemetery after the burial service for a victim of the Friday, March 15, mosque shootings at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Christchurch, New Zealand
A policewoman is seen as people attend the burial ceremony of a victim of the mosque attacks
He will then take part in Friday prayers at the Al Noor Mosque – or in the sports field nearby if the Islamic centre cannot be reopened in time for the lunch-time ceremony.
'Sonny Bill wants to visit the hospital to give his best wishes to the survivors,' a friend told MailOnline.
'Then he will join with other Muslims in Christchurch for Friday prayers.'
A devout Muslim Sonny Bill posted a
