SBW reconnects with attack victims

For one Christchurch mosque attack survivor, a meet-and-greet with the All Blacks has been ‘‘special’’ for his children.

Osman Ahmed was shot in the back when a gunman killed 51 fellow

Muslims in the city on March 15.

Yesterday, he and his three children were among the families affected by the attacks invited to meet All Blacks Sonny Bill Williams, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Richie Mo’unga and Sam Whitelock.

‘‘After the tragedy, this is special for [my children] to see the big teams,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s our aim to push our kids to have an idea for their sports, to let them forget about what happened and make sure they join with the community and join them.’’

Williams said he wanted to reconnect with victims he met after the attacks.

‘‘I’ve been down here a few times. But actually seeing some of the brothers, the victims that were in hospital, they’re actually walking around and getting around now.’’

Williams and Tu’ungafasi are Muslims.

‘‘We’re proud to come and represent the All Blacks,’’ Williams said.

‘‘Sport is our vehicle that we drive but along with it, we try and push that positive empowering message.’’

Mo’unga said it was a ‘‘huge opportunity’’ for the players.

‘‘It’s something we’re not taking lightly, to come down and spend time with people that were affected by March 15. It’s really just to share some smiles, give back to give our time.’’

Canterbury Resilience Foundation, founded to help the youth affected by the attacks, helped organise the event.

Co-founder Abdigani Ali said when NZ Rugby reached out about the idea they were welcomed ‘‘with open arms’’.

‘‘Sport is actually a key component into youth mental wellbeing,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s great, [the All Blacks] are our national pride. The kids are really happy to see them.’’

All Blacks players also met representatives from police, St John, the Canterbury District Health Board and Ministry of Social Development at Christchurch’s justice precinct yesterday.

In Queenstown, five All Blacks players faced a serious grilling from 180 young fans, including the tough question ‘‘what is your favourite animal?’’

Captain Kieran Read’s favourite was a tiger, which put him in the minority. His team-mates all answered their pet dogs were their favourite.

They were also asked what they would be doing if they were not professional rugby players.

Scott Barrett would be likely working in agriculture, Read would be teaching physical education and George Bridge just hoped he would have finished university.