Super Rugby match record holder Sean Wainui died at 25 in a car crash on Monday.
According to the police, his vehicle hit a tree.
The general manager of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Mark Robinson, was very moved at the news of the sudden death of the center of the Waikato Chiefs, referring to "a dark day for rugby".
“The death of Sean will deeply touch everyone involved in rugby, especially his teammates at Bay of Plenty (his New Zealand league team he joined last May) and the Chiefs, we share their grief and their shock, ”Mark Robinson said in a statement.
We are heartbroken right now.
Sean, you were an inspiration and will never be forgotten.
We extend all of our strength and aroha to your friends and whānau.
🖤
Kia au tō moe.
pic.twitter.com/R0o9fqgW6R
- All Blacks (@AllBlacks) October 18, 2021
Former All Black Sonny Bill Williams also paid tribute on social media to Wainui.
“Although I didn't play alongside him, I could still feel his mana (his stature) by bumping into him as an opponent,” he tweeted.
Wainui, who notably represented New Zealand's Under-20s and Maori All Blacks, began his Super Rugby career with the Canterbury Crusaders in 2016.
He joined the Chiefs in 2018. Last June, he scored five tries against Australian franchise NSW Waratahs in a 40-7 victory in Sydney, setting a record for most tries scored by a player. in a single Super Rugby match.
