An amazing gesture that makes you incredibly sad and proud at the same time.
Wednesday was a time to celebrate.
Thursday was the day to reflect and share a World Cup victory with a fallen member of the All Black brethren.
New Zealand's rugby heroes took time out from their triumphant homecoming to visit the grave of Jerry Collins, the All Blacks flanker who died in a tragic road accident earlier this year.
34-year-old Collins and wife Alana Madill
were killed instantly in the crash that took place in the Herault region of Southern France, in June. Their young daughter Ayla was rushed to hospital but survived and is now back with family members in New Zealand.
Dan Carter, Jerome Kaino, Ma'a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams and Liam Messam made the visit to Collins' grave at Porirua.
As Collins would have been 35 on Wednesday, the players brought along flowers and a 'Happy Birthday' balloon, as well as the Webb Ellis trophy.
https://instagram.com/p/9scczNhWlG/
Ma'a Nonu, who also had the honour of sharing the rugby field with Collins, posted his own tribute on Twitter after the visit.
https://twitter.com/maavelous/status/662166823996002304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
"Go well uso."
