The Football Ferns gave their captain Ali Riley a heartwarming haka after she was unable to compete at the Paris Olympics.
After battling an "excruciatingly painful" nerve injury, the call was made for Ali to sit out ofthis year's Olympic squad.
Despite the disappointing news, Ali has been cheering the wahine on from the sidelines in Paris, and her team made sure she still got her moment.
"My teammates did me the greatest honour š¤," Ali wrote, sharing a clip of the Football Ferns performing their haka. "Of course they made me cry š."
Fans of the team have shared their love and tautoko Ali in the comments, with one writing: "Wow, ultimate respect and pride shared š¤©."
"Spine tingling. What a wonderful honour for a legendary New Zealand captain ??," wrote another. "Thank you for everything, Ali!"
While a third said: "So sorry your Olympic experience is ending this way, but keep holding your head up high! You've done your country incredibly proud."
Ali shared her own emotions about the rule-out in an Instagram post, saying she had been struggling with the injury for seven months before the decision was made for her not to play in the games.
"My Olympic Games are over š," she began. "It's been frustrating, confusing, and excruciatingly painful in a way that's hard to describe."
"During this camp, there have been bad days along with the good, and due to the unpredictable nature of this injury my coach decided that it would be best for the team to withdraw me completely from the squad".
The Football Ferns are gearing up to play their next match against France on the 1st of August, 7am NZT.
