The All Blacks have become the latest rugby union team to say they will be wearing rainbow laces in their boots this weekend in a show of support for Gareth Thomas after the former Wales captain was the victim of an anti-gay attack.
Thomas, who announced in 2009 he is gay, recorded a video last weekend saying he was assaulted in Cardiff in "a hate crime for my sexuality." He had bruises on his face in the video.
Police in Cardiff have said a 16-year-old boy has admitted to carrying out the assault.
New Zealand said in a tweet on Friday that their players would wear the laces in a tribute to Thomas in Saturday's test match against Italy.
Wales, England, and France have already said they would do the same during their games on Saturday.
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Thomas reacted to the All Blacks tweet by saying on Twitter, "I wish I could put in words what this means."
