All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams has shared a tearful message of condolence to those who lost their lives in the Christchurch mosque shootings.
The devout Muslim was visibly upset, sending out his love and prayers to the fallen.
"I can't put into words how I am feeling right now," Williams tweeted.
"Just sending out my [love and prayers] to the families of the close to 30 people dead.
"To everyone killed in Christchurch who has been killed… your families…just… just sending my [love and prayers] to you… you are now in paradise.
"I'm just deeply, deeply saddened that this would happen in New Zealand."
The mosque massacre was described by Prime Minister Jacinda Adern as "one of our darkest days".
NZ Cricket also cancelled the remainder of the Bangladesh tour, after players were among those fleeing the scene on Friday afternoon.
Other sporting stars also expressed their sympathy for victims of the shootings, including NBA star Enes Kanter and Kiwi Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin.
"Devastated to hear about the violence in #New Zealand," tweeted Turkish centre Kanter, a close friend and former teammate of Kiwi basketballer Steven Adams.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of all impacted by this senseless act. This act of violence is incomprehensible - stay strong."
McLaughlin is a Christchurch native and lamented the punishment his city has already endured in recent years, since 2011 earthquakes flattened much of its inner city.
"Just heard what's happening New Zealand - thinking of everyone in my hometown in Christchurch affected by some disturbed individual," he tweeted. "Love to all.
"PS: World please lay off my city of Christchurch, they have copped to [sic] much!"
Blackcaps cricketers Ish Sodhi and Jimmy Neesham also weighed in on the attacks.
"For so long I've watched world events from afar and naively thought we were somehow different in our little corner of the world, somehow safe," tweeted Neesham.
"Today is a terrible day. Disgusted and saddened doesn't begin to describe it."
Among those sporting groups rallying around the people of Christchurch were the Manly Sea Eagles, who were due to stage a 'home' NRL game against the NZ Warriors in the South Island city this month.
Newshub.
