VIDEO: Stormers trust Kiwis to protect them
REACTION: Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi is confident New Zealand officials will ensure the safety of the team’s Muslim members.
This follows last Friday’s killing spree by Australian Brenton Tarrant, who entered two mosques and killed 50 people, while injuring another 50.
He was subsequently arrested by the police.
Kolisi was confronted by New Zealand television station 1newsnow at a training session asked about Young lock Salmaan Moerat – who, along with strength and conditioning coach Riefaat Jappie, are Muslims.
The Stormers, who left Cape Town this past Sunday, will play the Hurricanes in a Round Six Super Rugby match in Wellington on Saturday.
Kolisi admitted some players had a discussion about their Muslim teammates.
“One of the senior guys in our team was worried about it,” Kolisi told 1news.
“But we’ll be with him at all times and I know the people of New Zealand will look after us.”
Kolisi also made it clear that they are not concerned about their safety.
“It is rare,” the Stormers skipper said, adding: “I don’t think it will happen again, because I know how safe it is here, how New Zealand prides itself on its safety.”
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Kolisi said the team, who has mostly Christians in their ranks, felt for New Zealand after the terror attacks.
“We were shocked when we heard,” Kolisi said.
“This is the safest country we’ve been too.
“We feel for the families that have been affected.
“The people in South Africa are thinking about the people in New Zealand.”
The Stormers face off with the Hurricanes this weekend, before heading to Auckland next week to play the Blues.
They’ll then go across the Tasman Sea to Australia for two more matches – against the Reds and Rebels – before heading home.
Source: 1newsnow
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