New Zealand rugby is in mourning after news of the death of young Maori All-Blacks international and Super Rugby test record holder Sean Wainui on Monday in a car accident.
The 25-year-old's vehicle hit a tree, police said.
New Zealand Rugby Union General Manager Mark Robinson lamented the death of the Waikato Chiefs center, citing "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, ”he said in a statement.
Sonny Bill Williams' tribute
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.
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