New Zealand rugby player Sean Wainui died in a car crash on Monday morning.
Bay of Plenty police issued a statement saying one person had died following a single vehicle crash at McLaren Falls Park in Omanawa, near Tauranga.
Two ambulances and a serious crash unit attended the scene but the sole occupant died.
His family has since confirmed it was Wainui.
Stan Sport is the only place to watch Wallabies vs Japan on October 23 and All Blacks vs USA on October 24 – both matches streaming ad free, live and on demand on Stan Sport. Start your seven day free trial here!
https://twitter.com/SonnyBWilliams/status/1449913765395378179?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfwhttps://twitter.com/NZRL_Kiwis/status/1449917186504413188?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfwhttps://twitter.com/AllBlacks/status/1449921896250707971?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfwhttps://twitter.com/raelenecastle/status/1449938846708158468?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The 25-year-old father had played for the Chiefs and Crusaders, and had represented the New Zealand Maori since 2015.
In June this year he scored five tries against the NSW Waratahs, becoming the first player to do so in Super 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,” New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson said in a statement.
“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.”
Maori All Blacks and Chiefs 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.”