Māori All Blacks and Chiefs utility back Sean Wainui has tragically died in a car crash on Monday near Tauranga.

The crash happened near McLaren Falls Park.

The Crusaders issued a statement saying “We are deeply saddened to hear news of the passing of Sean Wainui.”

“Crusader #189, Sean played nine games for us during the 2016 and 2017 seasons.”

“Part of the legacy Sean left here at the Crusaders was his contribution to the formation of the team haka, Takina Te Kawa, and he will forever be a cherished member of our club.”

“Our hearts go out to Sean’s whānau, friends, and all those in the rugby community who knew him.”

New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson has 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.

“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.”

New Zealand Māori Rugby Board Chair Farah Palmer said “today rugby is mourning one of our Rangatira, but our first thoughts are with Sean’s whānau. They have lost a father, a husband, a brother and a son and we share their grief and their tears.”

“As a player, we all saw what this young tāne was capable of and the passion and talent that he brought to the teams he represented, but we also saw a role model for young Māori, a caring father who was passionate about his culture, his language, and his identity. He will be sorely missed.”

Wainui, who was 25, was one of New Zealand’s brightest stars on and off the field having carved out a career that included representing the Māori All Blacks, Chiefs, Crusaders, Taranaki and Bay of Plenty with distinction.

Of Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Porou, Ngā Ariki Kaipūtahi and Te Āitanga a Māhaki iwi, he was a vocal advocate for Te Reo Māori, proud of his Māori heritage and especially passionate about his whānau.

Wainui was born in the small settlement of Whatatutu near Gisborne and raised in Auckland before attending Takapuna Grammar School where he was a stand-out as captain of the first XV before making his debut for Taranaki in 2014, while still a teenager. A year later he won the Junior World Championship with the New Zealand Under 20 team, earned his first Super Rugby contract with the Crusaders, and represented the Māori All Blacks for the first time.

He joined the Chiefs in 2018 and became a fan favourite either in the midfield or on the wing where he broke the record for number of tries in a Super Rugby game with five against the Waratahs earlier this year. This season he had joined Bay of Plenty for the Bunnings NPC.

Māori All Blacks, Chiefs and former Bay of Plenty Head Coach Clayton McMillan said:

“Sean was an incredibly talented individual and held a great amount of mana among his fellow teammates and the wider rugby community. He epitomised everything you could possibly ask for in a player. He will be remembered for being a passionate, hard-working, proud Māori who was an exceptional player but more importantly father and husband.

“He was an influential member in the teams he has been a part of, and his presence will be missed. Our sincere condolences to Paige, Kawariki and Arahia and his wider whānau at this difficult time. We are offering them our full support along with our players and staff.”