Add Category
The All Blacks, who are in the USA, expressed their sorrow on social media.
Wallabies prop Allan Alaalatoa expressed his condolences on behalf of the Australian side, many of whom played against Wainui.
Pete Samu and Lalakai Foketi also played with the utility back.
“A lot of our boys played against him and playing against him, you always knew he was someone that wore his heart on his sleeve,” Alaalatoa said.
“Watching him lead the Maori Haka, he’s someone who had a lot of passion and pride in his Maori heritage. Condolences to him and his family.
“It’s a tragic loss for the rugby world and for the Wainui family. Sending our love and regards to them.”
Sonny Bill Williams also posted a message of condolence.
“My thoughts are with Sean Wainuis’ family. Especially his wife & young child. Although I didn’t play alongside him, I could always feel his mana coming up against him as his opposition,” he tweeted.
Wainui’s death was confirmed by NZ Rugby on Monday afternoon.
Chief executive Mark Robinson extended all of rugby’s condolences to Wainui’s wife Paige, their children Kawariki and Arahia, and their wider whānau “on what is a dark day for rugby”.
Wainui performs the haka during the Test match between the Maori All Blacks and Manu Samoa in July.Credit:Getty
“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.”
Wainui is from the small settlement of Whatatutu near Gisborne and has ties to Ngāi Tuhoe, Te Āitanga a Māhaki, Ngā Ariki Kaiputahi and Ngāti Porou.
He spent most of his childhood in Auckland and attended Takapuna Grammar School.
Wainui first rose to prominence when playing for New Zealand Under-20 who won the World Rugby Junior World Championship in Italy in 2015.
Later that year he joined the Māori All Blacks for the first time.
Wainui made his Chiefs debut in 2018 against the Crusaders, and played 53 matches for Taranaki before joining Bay of Plenty this year for the NPC.
More to come
with Stuff.co.nz