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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Jon Doel

Rugby's most emotional video ever watched by 10 million people as haka gesture made amid tragedy

It is one of the most remarkable moments witnessed on a rugby pitch, and it all happened before kick-off.

When four Maori All Blacks stepped forward from their haka formation in the drizzly mist of Thomond Park ahead of their match against Munster in 2016 to lay a special jersey bearing the initials of Anthony Foley on the turf, the crowd and the whole rugby world looked on in awe. It came just weeks after Foley's sudden and shocking death at the age of just 42.

Following the completion of the haka, the jersey was presented to Foley's two young sons, Dan and Tony, amid emotional scenes.

The moment unfolded weeks after Munster coach Foley was laid to rest following his tragic death in a Paris hotel room ahead of the team's European Champions Cup clash with Racing 92.

Foley's family went on to make a wonderful gesture of their own by laying the jersey in front of a special candle lit in memory of Jonah Lomu, who died a year earlier.

In a statement on the Anthony Foley Memorial Facebook page, his family said: "Anthony collected more jerseys in his career than you could shake a stick at. He loved each and every one of them and the stories he had about them.

"This one - collected in his honour by Tony and Dan on Friday night following a gesture by the Maori All Blacks that warmed our hearts in a way we could not describe - we are sure he would have it right up there among his favourites. Perhaps now his favourite.

"It was an incredible tribute and gesture by a great rugby people; a great people. We will never forget it and are so, so thankful.

"One other jersey, in this week of all weeks and in this very special month of remembering, shares pride of place in the Foley home, side by side with the special Maori All Black jersey we now have.

"That is a very, very special No. 8. Not Anthony's but perhaps the jersey of the greatest All Black ever - Jonah Lomu.

"You see, Anthony's first ever game against New Zealand was when Ireland schoolboys clashed with their All Black counterparts.

"Ironically, Anthony and Jonah both wore No. 8 that day. Clearly a number very strong in our lives right now.

"So today we lit a candle in front of the very special jersey presented to the boys on Friday night and, on the third Sunday of our #8masses4no8 campaign, dedicated it to the memory of Jonah Lomu, All Black legend. RIP.

"We dedicated it also to his family, for whom this November will be a very, very difficult one as it marks the first anniversary of Jonah’s passing."

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