Die Superrugbyster Sean Wainui (Foto: Chiefs/Twitter)
Nieu-Seelandse rugby is in rou gedompel nadat die Superrugbyster Sean Wainui Maandag in ’n motorongeluk in dié land dood is.
Wainui wat vir die Maori All Blacks en die Waikato Chiefs uitgedraf het, was maar 25 jaar oud.
Die polisie in Nieu-Seeland sê Wainui se motor het ’n boom naby die hawestad Tauranga getref. Hy was die enigste insittende van die motor.
Mark Robinson, uitvoerende hoof van Nieu-Seeland Rugby, het intussen die senter se dood as ’n “donker dag vir rugby” bestempel.
“Sean se heengaan sal diep gevoel word deur almal wat by rugby betrokke is, veral sy Bay of Plenty- en Chiefs -spanmaats. Ons deel in hul hartseer en hul skok.”
Wainui het sy Superrugby-loopbaan by die Canterbury Crusaders afgeskop voordat hy hom in 2018 by die Chiefs aangesluit het.
Wainui het in Junie vanjaar vyf drieë teen die NSW Waratahs in Sydney gedruk en gedurende die wedstryd (40-7) ʼn rekord opgestel vir die meeste drieë deur ‘n speler in ʼn enkele wedstryd.
Wainui het tien keer vir die Maori All Blacks uitgedraf en 44 Superrugby-wedstryde vir die Waikato Chiefs gespeel.
We are heartbroken right now. Sean, you were an inspiration and will never be forgotten. We extend all of our strength and aroha to your friends and whānau. ????
Kia au tō moe. pic.twitter.com/R0o9fqgW6R
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) October 18, 2021
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. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
— Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) October 18, 2021
One of Rugby NZ’s tallest totara trees has fallen. To you Sean, our Rangatira, we farewell you to the outspread arms of the multitudes who await you beyond this earthly realm. You leave us here bereft and drown in sorrow as we weep for you. Rest well in peaceful repose. ❤️???????? pic.twitter.com/ZhiCJ28OU1
— Gallagher Chiefs (@ChiefsRugby) October 18, 2021
Daar sal soveel vrae wees vir die familie. Slegs een voertuig met een persoon betrokke. Hoe kry mens antwoorde? Sterkte aan die familie
Sterkte vir sy familie dit my span
Inderdaad groot verlies vir NZ en wêreld rugby. Simpatie aan die familie en almal wie se lewens hy geraak het.
Wie of wat is die Maori All Blacks?
The Māori All Blacks, previously called the New Zealand Māori, New Zealand Maoris and New Zealand Natives, are a rugby union team from New Zealand. They are a representative team of the New Zealand Rugby Union, and a prerequisite for playing is that the player has Māori whakapapa (genealogy). In the past this rule was not strictly applied; non–Māori players who looked Māori were often selected in the team. These included a few Pacific island players and a couple of African descent. Today all players have their ancestry verified before selection in the team.
The team’s first match was in 1888 against Hawke’s Bay.