All Blacks reserves join in on the Haka in special moment following tragic death

For Logan.

New Zealand’s non-playing reserves joined the Haka from the sidelines at Murrayfield in a moving tribute to their late head of security, Logan Cadwallader.

The All Blacks have endured a heartbreaking week following Cadwallader’s sudden death at their team hotel in Edinburgh last Sunday.

A much-loved member of the touring party for a decade, his passing was felt throughout the squad as they prepared to face Scotland.

Before Saturday’s match, players outside the matchday squad performed the Haka alongside the pitch, joining their teammates in paying their respects.

Footage of the moment shows the players in their training kit taking part from the touchline as the starting side performed on the field.

After New Zealand’s 43–21 victory, captain Codie Taylor explained that the gesture reflected how much Cadwallader meant to everyone in the group.

“I wasn’t actually aware at the time,” Taylor said.

“But I talked to Richie [McCaw], and what I know is that everyone wanted to pull the jersey on tonight. But obviously, that can’t happen.

“So from what I hear, their thinking was, we want to be part of the Haka because we can actually pay our respects that way.

“So I wasn’t aware. But to hear that just goes to show the connection of the group and how much Logan meant to us.”

The emotion remained evident after the final whistle, with Taylor explaining that the occasion had carried a significance far beyond the result.

“Yeah, we wanted to win for him,” he said.

“This week’s been a lot bigger than rugby. It’s about acknowledging one of our brothers that had fallen and a husband and father, son, who was highly respected in our group.”

Taylor also spoke about the emotion during the anthem and seeing how deeply members of the management team were feeling the loss.

“And to be able to go there tonight and get the result, you know, there was a lot of emotion in the anthem and looking across to the management, how much they were feeling it as well.

“So there was definitely a bit more of a motivation there to front up in the jersey. And represent home.”

Head coach Dave Rennie said the players had carried a considerable emotional burden into the Test.

“I thought the boys fronted up well. Like as we talked about, it’s a tough week, a massive emotional toll on the group. You would have seen some players visibly upset on the final whistle. They’re proud to get through that.

“I’m happy that for Logan, we got a good result tonight.”