The Rugby community has been rocked by the news Chiefs and Maori All Blacks winger Sean Wainui has passed away in a car accident.
Bay of Plenty police issued a statement saying one person had died after a single-vehicle crash at McLaren Falls Park, with the 25-year-old at the wheel of the car.
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"Our thoughts are with Sean and his whānau, particularly Paige, Kawariki and Arahia, and we offer them our full support at what is the most difficult of times. We know Sean’s passing will be felt deeply by everyone involved in rugby, particularly his Bay of Plenty and Chiefs teammates, and we share their sorrow and their shock," NZR CEO Mark Robinson said in a statement.
“We ask that media give the Wainui whānau space to grieve as we all reflect on a young life that has ended far too early.”
“Sean was an incredibly talented individual and held a great amount of mana among his fellow teammates and the wider rugby community. He epitomised everything you could possibly ask for in a player. He will be remembered for being a passionate, hard-working, proud Māori who was an exceptional player but more importantly father and husband," Māori All Blacks, Chiefs and former Bay of Plenty Head Coach Clayton McMillan added.
“He was an influential member in the teams he has been a part of, and his presence will be missed. Our sincere condolences to Paige, Kawariki and Arahia and his wider whānau at this difficult time. We are offering them our full support along with our players and staff.”
Wainui made his Super Rugby debut for the Crusaders in 2016 before making the move to the Chiefs.
He would become a mainstay of their backline and showed his clash in his 53rd and ultimately final Super Rugby game against the Waratahs, becoming the first player to score five tries in a game.
Wainui also made his international debut for the Maori All Blacks against Fiji in 2015, with the proud Maori playing 10 games for the side, including two this year against Samoa.
