'Inshallah you're in paradise' - rugby star Sonny Bill in tearful attacks tribute

Christchurch: Tearful rugby star Sonny Bill Williams said he hoped the victims of the Christchurch mosque massacre were in "paradise" in an emotional video tribute on Friday.

The devout Muslim, wearing a skull cap, wiped away tears several times in the brief footage which he filmed sitting in a car.

Police reported multiple deaths in attacks on two crowded mosques during Friday prayers in Christchurch, where Williams played for the Crusaders earlier in his career.

"Just heard the news. I couldn´t put it into words how I´m feeling right now," the World Cup-winning All Blacks centre said in the video posted on Twitter.

"Inshallah (God willing) everyone who´s been killed today... you guys are all in paradise," he added.

"Just deeply, deeply saddened that this would happen in New Zealand."