'It's hard to deal with the shock and awe of it all': NRL team visits Christchurch mosque where dozens were slaughtered by Australian gunman ahead of clash with Kiwi side
- Four Manly Sea Eagles were shown through the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch
- The visit was part of the club's objective to immerse themselves in community
- Al Noor Mosque was subject to terrorist attack which saw 50 people killed
Four Manly Sea Eagles players have struggled to describe their feelings after visiting one of the mosques which was the scene of a mass shooting in Christchurch.
Jorge Taufua, Curtis Sironen, Toafofoa Sipley and Corey Waddell were shown through the Al Noor Mosque on Thursday, two days out from their NRL match against the Warriors.
The visit formed part of the club's objective to immerse themselves in the Christchurch community, which is still recovering form the March 15 terrorist attack in which 50 lives were lost.
Jorge Taufua, Curtis Sironen, Toafofoa Sipley and Corey Waddell were shown through the Al Noor Mosque on Thursday
Al Noor Mosque was subject to terrorist attack which saw 50 people killed (flowers outside the Mosque, photo taken by Manly player Curtis Sironen)
The Al Noor Mosque was the scene of 50 deaths, leaving second-rower Sironen unsure of what to say to members of the Muslim community who were on hand.
'It's hard to deal with those sort of things, the shock and awe of it all,' Sironen told Newshub.
'We've just got to be as respectful as we can of the situation.'
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Auckland-born prop Sipley said all Kiwis could play a part in the healing process by visiting a mosque or offering support to those most deeply affected by the shootings.
'It doesn't matter what race, what religion or what culture you come from, when you're a Kiwi there's an expectation that you're all a family,' he said.
'It doesn't matter what race, what religion or what culture you come from, when you're a Kiwi there's an expectation that you're all a family,' Toafofoa Sipley said
Other members of the Manly team were involved in community activity as they prepare to 'host' the Warriors in Christchurch for a second straight season.
The Warriors were to arrive in Christchurch on Friday, with some team members also planning to visit the Al Noor Mosque.
Some Sea Eagles squad members will attend a National Remembrance Service on Friday, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony.
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