The friends and family of Maori All Blacks star Sean Wainui have performed an incredible haka tribute at his funeral, just days after he died in a car crash.
The Chief and Bay of Plenty winger perished in a single-vehicle car crash on Monday morning with tributes flowing in for the 25-year-old.
Wainui is survived by his wife Paige, having just celebrated their first wedding anniversary, two-year-old son Kawariki Te Raiona and stepdaughter Arahia.
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Surrounded by whānau (the Maori word for extended family) as Wainui’s body started the journey for his tangi (Maori funeral rite), Paige and her children witnessed the emotional haka.
The New Zealand Herald called the tribute “spine-tingling”.
Paige has shared some devastating posts to social media in recent days paying tribute to her husband. She also posted 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 your waiting for us. We’re on our way to gizzy bringing you home now baby”.
The outpouring of grief for the 25-year-old has been immense since the news of his death.
In a GiveALittle campaign set up by the Chiefs organisation, more than $218,000 has been raised from donations from over 5500 donors.
The tragedy has hit the New Zealand rugby community hard.
The All Blacks found out about Wainui’s death after landing in the US to start a five-Test tour of America and Europe.
When Crusaders hooker Codie Taylor fronted the media on Tuesday his raw emotions reflected the grief the All Blacks are grappling with.
He broke down in tears at the end of his press conference when speaking about Waunui’s family.
“It really hits home. It shows how fragile life can be. You feel for his loved ones. It’s hard, he’s got kids,” Taylor said as he shed tears.
The All Blacks are scheduled to play the US Eagles at FedEx Field in the US capital before they face in Cardiff on October 30.
That will be followed by a Test against Italy in Rome on November 6, then a clash with Ireland in Dublin on November 13 and France in Paris on November 20.
All Blacks forwards coach John Plumtree said the All Blacks players had held an informal remembrance for Wainui at the team’s hotel.
“The passing of Sean Wainui has been very hard on the team,” Plumtree said. “Hit us pretty hard.
“The Chiefs boys organised a little drink last night in the team room for anyone who wanted to join in remembrance of him, and everyone came and shared some stories.
“There were some really beautiful moments. A pretty tough start to the week.”
— with AFP
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