All Blacks and Chiefs winger Sean Wainui, 25, dies in car crash - Ruck

All Blacks and Chiefs winger Sean Wainui, 25, dies in car crash

The rugby community has been rocked by the news Chiefs, Bay of Plenty and Maori All Blacks wing 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 crashPolice said they were notified at 7.50am that a vehicle had crashed into a tree at McLaren Falls Park near Tauranga on New Zealand’s North Island.

Wainui was the only occupant. He was 25 and the father of two children.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) confirmed Wainui’s death on Monday afternoon

“Our thoughts are with Sean and his whanau, particularly Paige, Kawariki and Arahia, and we offer them our full support at what is the most difficult of times,” said NZR chief executive Mark Robinson via a statement.

“We know Sean’s passing will be felt deeply by everyone involved in rugby, particularly his Bay of Plenty and Chiefs team-mates, and we share their sorrow and their shock.

“We ask that media give the Wainui whanau space to grieve as we all reflect on a young life that has ended far too early.”

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