The Men in Black will sport rainbow laces in support of former Wales captain Gareth Thomas after he was assaulted in an anti-gay attack.

The All Blacks have become the latest rugby team to say they will be wearing rainbow laces in their boots this weekend in a show of support for Gareth Thomas after the former Wales captain was the victim of an anti-gay attack.

Thomas, who announced in 2009 he is gay, recorded a video last weekend saying he was assaulted in Cardiff in "a hate crime for my sexuality". He had bruises on his face in the video.

Police in Cardiff have said a 16-year-old boy has admitted to carrying out the assault.

The All Blacks end their season on Saturday (Sunday NZ Time) against Italy in Rome and at the captain's run for the test Kieran Read said the side wanted to show their "solidarity" for Thomas.

READ MORE: France to wear rainbow laces in support of Thomas

"It's great," Read said. "Hopefully most of the lads will be wearing the rainbow laces and I think it's just showing solidarity within world rugby and from us as New Zealanders and All Blacks to show support for that community."

The team said in a tweet on Friday (Saturday NZT) that its players would wear the rainbow laces in a tribute to Thomas against Italy.

All Blacks players will show their support for former Wales captain Gareth Thomas by wearing rainbow laces in their match against Italy tomorrow. #rainbowlaces #pride #ITAvNZL — All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November 23, 2018

Wales, England, and France have already said they would do the same during their games on Saturday (Sunday NZT).

Thomas reacted to the All Blacks tweet by saying on Twitter, "I wish I could put in words what this means."