Sean Wainui’s family and friends have given Maori All Blacks an emotional goodbye after his tragic death shocked the rugby world.
The friends and family of Maori All Blacks star Sean Wainui paid an incredible Haka tribute at his funeral just days after his death in a car accident.
The Chief and Bay of Plenty winger was killed in a car accident involving a single vehicle on Monday morning, with tributes pouring in for the 25-year-old.
Wainui leaves behind his wife Paige, who has just celebrated their first wedding anniversary, the two-year-old son Kawariki Te Raiona and his stepdaughter Arahia.
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Surrounded by whānau (the Maori word for extended family), when Wainui’s body set out on the journey for his tangi (Maori burial rite), Paige and her children witnessed the emotional haka.
The New Zealand Herald called the tribute “prickly”.
Paige has shared some devastating posts on social media in the past few days in tribute to her husband. She also posted a video of the haka and wrote, “This pain is unbearable. Kei te hoki koe ki tō whenua taurikura my baby māku koe e arahi. I know you are waiting for us We’re on our way to the Gizzy and we’re bringing you home now, baby ”.
The mourning for the 25-year-old has been immense since the news of his death.
A GiveALittle campaign launched by the Chiefs organization raised more than $ 218,000 from donations from over 5,500 donors.
The tragedy has hit the New Zealand rugby community hard.
The All Blacks learned of Wainui’s death after landing in the US to embark on a five-test tour of America and Europe.
When Crusaders hooker Codie Taylor hit the media on Tuesday, his raw emotions reflected the grief the All Blacks are grappling with.
He burst into tears at the end of his press conference talking about Waunui’s family.
“It really hits home. It shows how fragile life can be. You feel with his loved ones. It’s hard, he has kids, “said Taylor, shedding tears.
The All Blacks are expected to play against the US Eagles on October 30th in Cardiff at FedEx Field in the US capital.
This is followed by a test against Italy in Rome on November 6th, then a clash with Ireland in Dublin on November 13th and France in Paris on November 20th.
All Blacks forward coach John Plumtree said the All Blacks players held an informal reminder of Wainui at the team’s hotel.
“The death of Sean Wainui was a huge hit on the team,” said Plumtree. “Hit us pretty hard.
“The Chiefs boys organized a little drink in the team room last night for anyone who wanted to remember him, and everyone came and told each other a few stories.
“There were really nice moments. A pretty tough start to the week. “
– with AFP
